Analysis
Kent State's Legal Support Services program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack—ranking at the 60th percentile both nationally and within Ohio. That's actually reasonable positioning for a $25,000 investment, especially given that graduates here carry slightly less debt than both Ohio and national medians. Starting at $39,000 and climbing to $44,000 by year four shows steady progression, even if it doesn't match the $45,500 that University of Cincinnati grads command.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 means your child would owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary—manageable territory for a bachelor's degree. The 13% earnings growth over four years suggests this field offers genuine advancement potential, not just a paycheck plateau. However, with an 87% admission rate and moderate academic profile, Kent State isn't adding prestige value to the credential.
The practical reality: this program delivers what it promises without surprises. Your child would enter a stable field with controllable debt and room to grow earnings. If they're committed to legal support work and want to stay in Ohio, this represents a sensible path. Just know they won't dramatically outpace peers from other state schools—this is about solid preparation, not competitive advantage.
Where Kent State University at Kent Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Kent State University at Kent graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State University at Kent | $38,981 | $43,984 | +13% |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | $45,549 | $54,323 | +19% |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | $34,675 | $50,044 | +44% |
| Herzing University-Akron | $33,315 | $44,715 | +34% |
| University of Toledo | $35,554 | $43,888 | +23% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kent State University at KentKent | $12,846 | $38,981 | $43,984 | $25,000 | 0.64 |
 University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati | $13,570 | $45,549 | $54,323 | $25,258 | 0.55 |
 University of ToledoToledo | $12,377 | $35,554 | $43,888 | $27,605 | 0.78 |
 Herzing University-AkronAkron | $13,420 | $33,315 | $44,715 | — | — |
| National Median | — | $36,900 | — | $27,875 | 0.76 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Interpreters and Translators
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Legal Support Workers, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Kent State University at Kent, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 39 graduates with reported earnings and 47 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.