Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Kent State University at Kent

Kent State's associate program in Teacher Education shows concerning numbers, but the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these figures may not represent typical outcomes. First-year earnings of $18,576 land in the bottom 10th percentile both nationally and statewide, falling nearly $9,000 below Ohio's median for this program. Even the state's top performers, like Cuyahoga Community College at $30,880, earn nearly 70% more.

The debt load of $17,273 isn't catastrophic by itself, but paired with those initial earnings, it creates a nearly 1:1 debt-to-income ratio. More troubling is the context: other Ohio community colleges offering similar associate degrees produce graduates earning in the high $20,000s to low $30,000s with comparable or lower debt. This suggests the issue isn't inherent to the credential itself, but rather something specific to how this program performs.

Given the small sample, these numbers could reflect unusual circumstances—perhaps graduates working part-time while pursuing bachelor's degrees, or a single cohort that doesn't represent the norm. If your student is considering this path, look closely at whether it's meant as a stepping stone to Kent State's bachelor's program. As a standalone credential for entering the education field, the data suggests Ohio families have stronger options at the state's community colleges.