Criminal Justice and Corrections at Kent State University at Kent

In a state with 57 criminal justice programs, Kent State's associate degree sits squarely in the middle—with first-year earnings around $38,500 based on comparable Ohio programs. What's unusual is the four-year trajectory: earnings actually dip to $37,000, suggesting this credential might get graduates into entry-level positions without much advancement potential. The $19,748 debt load is manageable at roughly half of first-year income, but it's above both the state and national median for this degree, meaning students here are borrowing more than peers at similar programs.

The benchmark comparison reveals the ceiling. Ohio University's various campuses consistently place graduates above $44,000 in their first year—about $6,000 more than what Kent State's program typically produces. That gap persists even as Kent State's graduates see their earnings remain flat years later. For an associate degree in a field known for modest pay, the combination of higher-than-average debt and middle-tier outcomes suggests students might do better elsewhere in Ohio, particularly at community colleges that typically charge less for similar credentials.

The practical takeaway: this program gets you to the state median for criminal justice work, but the debt is notably higher than it needs to be for that outcome. If your child is committed to this field, comparing the total cost of attendance here against Ohio's community college options—many of which produce similar or better results—would be the smartest next step.