Criminal Justice and Corrections at Kent State University at Stark

Kent State Stark's criminal justice program carries nearly $20,000 in debt—significantly above both the state median ($16,799) and especially the national median ($14,230) for associate degrees in this field. Based on comparable programs across Ohio, first-year earnings hover around $38,500, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51. That's manageable on paper, but the four-year earnings figure of $36,961 raises a red flag: graduates appear to earn *less* four years out than they do immediately after graduation.

This backward earnings trajectory is unusual and concerning. While criminal justice careers can involve shift work, part-time positions, or delayed entry into full-time roles that might explain varied earnings patterns, most career paths show at least modest growth over four years. The stronger programs in Ohio's system—several Ohio University campuses—produce graduates earning $44,000+, roughly $5,500 more annually than what Kent State Stark's program suggests. That gap compounds over time.

For a family financing this with loans, you're looking at monthly payments around $200-220 on a ten-year plan while earning what similar programs suggest is a stagnant or declining income. If your student can access one of the better-performing Ohio programs—or if Kent State Stark can be completed with minimal borrowing through commuting, working, or scholarships—it becomes more defensible. Otherwise, the combination of above-average debt and flat earnings makes this a shaky investment compared to peer programs in the state.