Psychology at Kent State University at Kent

Kent State's psychology program produces graduates who struggle financially in their first year out, earning $28,474 compared to the national median of $31,482 for psychology majors. While this ranks in just the 25th percentile nationally, the program performs better within Ohio, reaching the 40th percentile among the state's 74 psychology programs. The $25,000 debt load is typical for the field, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88.

The program shows meaningful improvement over time, with earnings jumping 23% to nearly $35,000 by year four. This growth trajectory helps justify the initial lower starting salary, though graduates still trail top Ohio programs like Kenyon College ($39,203) by a significant margin. For context, Kent State's broad accessibility (87% admission rate) means it serves a different student population than more selective competitors.

For parents weighing this investment, Kent State's psychology program offers reasonable value if your child needs an accessible entry point into the field and you're comfortable with below-average starting salaries. The solid earnings growth and manageable debt make this a workable choice for Ohio families, particularly given the university's lower barriers to entry. However, if your student has strong academic credentials, other Ohio programs deliver notably higher returns on investment.