Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Kent State University at Salem

Kent State Salem's Allied Health program sits at the midpoint of Ohio offerings, but there's a catch: while it beats the state median by year four ($57,259 vs. $48,753), it starts well below both state and national averages right out of school. At $46,778 in first-year earnings, graduates trail the national median by nearly $8,000. The 22% earnings growth over four years helps close the gap, yet even at year four, earnings remain below the national median of $54,327.

The positive: debt is modest at $18,000—right at the state median and below national figures—creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38. For students focused on staying in-state and keeping costs down, that matters. The challenge is that stronger Ohio programs like Cincinnati State ($65,094) and Lakeland Community College ($58,299) deliver substantially higher earnings with similar debt loads, suggesting better employment outcomes or program specializations.

For parents weighing this option, the math works if location or specific program access drives the decision. But given the lower starting salary and the availability of demonstrably stronger allied health programs across Ohio, it's worth comparing graduation rates, clinical placement opportunities, and specialty focus areas before committing. This program meets the bar for affordability but doesn't stand out in earnings performance.