Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Kent State University at Kent

Kent State's nursing associate program ranks solidly within Ohio—hitting the state's median earnings at $64,169—but trails the national typical graduate by about $4,200 annually. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their income drop 8% between year one and year four, falling to $59,213. This backward slide is unusual for nursing, where experience typically translates to higher pay. The pattern suggests either high turnover rates, challenges with career advancement, or graduates settling into lower-paying positions over time.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. At $31,000, it's above the state median but well below national norms for nursing programs, giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48. Students can realistically pay this down on a nurse's salary. However, other Ohio programs deliver noticeably stronger outcomes—Herzing-Akron and Hondros College graduates earn $9,000-$10,000 more per year with comparable associate degrees. If your child is considering Kent State primarily for location or familiarity, understand they'll likely need to be strategic about employment to match their peers' earning potential.

The value proposition here isn't terrible, but it's not compelling either. With 54 nursing programs across Ohio and several offering significantly better returns, this program works best for students with specific reasons to attend Kent State beyond the nursing program itself.