Criminal Justice and Corrections at Kent State University at Salem

Kent State-Salem's criminal justice program carries debt of $19,748—about $3,000 above the Ohio median and $5,500 above the national average for this field. While this isn't catastrophic debt, it's worth noting that first-year earnings estimates based on comparable programs in Ohio suggest around $38,500, placing the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.51. However, the program shows an unusual pattern: actual reported earnings four years out are lower at $36,961, suggesting graduates in this field may not see the typical salary growth in their early career years.

The more troubling comparison is with Ohio's top-performing criminal justice programs. Several Ohio University campuses report first-year earnings in the mid-$40,000s—roughly $6,000 to $8,000 higher than what similar programs typically produce. This gap suggests that where you earn your criminal justice degree in Ohio matters considerably, and Kent State-Salem appears positioned in the middle of the pack rather than among the state's stronger performers.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether the accessibility of a regional campus justifies potentially leaving several thousand dollars in earnings on the table annually. The debt is reasonable enough that it won't become unmanageable, but the combination of middling estimated outcomes and downward earnings trajectory after year one suggests this associate's degree may be better suited as a stepping stone to a bachelor's program rather than a terminal credential for criminal justice careers.