Health and Medical Administrative Services at Kent State University at Salem
Bachelor's Degree
kent.edu/columbianaAnalysis
Healthcare administration programs in Ohio show considerable variation in outcomes, with graduates from top programs earning $54,000-$57,000 in their first year. Based on comparable programs statewide, this Kent State Salem bachelor's appears to track closer to Ohio's median of around $43,000βroughly $11,000-$14,000 below what graduates from Cincinnati or Ohio State typically earn. That gap matters when you're navigating entry-level administrative positions in healthcare systems.
The estimated debt load of $25,750 is actually lower than the national median for these programs ($31,000), which helps offset the earnings picture. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 suggests manageable repayment, though it's worth noting that peer programs at larger Ohio institutions are producing both higher earnings and similar or lower debt burdens. The 31% Pell grant rate indicates this campus serves many cost-conscious families, which could make the lower debt figure particularly meaningful.
The reality for an anxious parent: you're likely looking at a financially navigable path into healthcare administration, but one where your graduate may start several rungs below peers from flagship programs. If proximity to Salem and lower overall costs matter more than maximizing first-year salary, the estimated numbers work. If your child has the grades for Cincinnati or Ohio State, those programs appear to deliver substantially better returns for similar investment.
Where Kent State University at Salem Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Health and Medical Administrative Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (38 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,272 | $42,663* | β | $25,750* | β | |
| $13,570 | $57,183* | $63,419 | $39,352* | 0.69 | |
| $12,859 | $54,301* | $69,972 | $25,000* | 0.46 | |
| $18,950 | $53,429* | β | $41,582* | 0.78 | |
| $9,577 | $49,853* | $48,362 | $35,534* | 0.71 | |
| $9,622 | $45,324* | $40,612 | $23,250* | 0.51 | |
| National Median | β | $44,345* | β | $30,998* | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates
Information Security Analysts
Medical and Health Services Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Computer Programmers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Kent State University at Salem, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 15 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.