Mathematics at Kent State University at Kent

Kent State's mathematics program places graduates in a surprisingly strong position, with first-year earnings of $54,367—comfortably above both the national and Ohio medians for math degrees. While the sample size is small (under 30 graduates), these earnings actually match the university's Stark campus and exceed better-known Ohio schools like Miami and Cincinnati. At $19,250 in median debt, students are borrowing slightly less than typical for math majors, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 that many would consider manageable.

The context matters here: Kent State isn't a selective institution (87% admission rate, 1095 SAT average), yet its math graduates are out-earning peers from more competitive Ohio universities. This suggests the program does something right—perhaps strong industry connections or effective career placement—that translates to real-world opportunities. However, the small graduating class raises questions about whether this program has limited capacity or simply hasn't attracted many students yet.

For families looking at in-state options, this program appears to deliver solid value without requiring elite admissions credentials. The debt burden is reasonable for a starting salary above $54,000, which should allow for comfortable repayment. Just recognize that with such a small sample, outcomes for any individual student could vary significantly from these numbers.