Business/Commerce (Associate's Degree) at Kent State University at Trumbull

Median Earnings (1yr)

$38,871

58th percentile

60th percentile in Ohio

Median Debt

$20,565

53% above national median

Analysis

Kent State Trumbull's business associate degree lands students right at Ohio's median earnings—$38,871 after one year—which actually beats 58% of similar programs nationwide. The debt load of $20,565 sits well below the typical bachelor's degree burden, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53. For families in Northeast Ohio seeking an affordable entry point to business careers, this represents a solid baseline option.

The concerning element here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 3% decline by year four rather than growth. This suggests the associate degree may not open doors to advancement opportunities, or that local job market conditions limit upward mobility. That said, the moderate sample size means we're looking at 30-100 graduates, so individual career paths can vary significantly from these medians.

The bottom line: This program delivers immediate, average earnings at below-average cost—a reasonable combination for students who need to enter the workforce quickly or plan to continue their education while working. However, families banking on earnings growth should recognize that advancement may require additional credentials. For students certain about staying in the Trumbull County area and needing an affordable start, this works. Those with flexibility might compare outcomes at James A. Rhodes State College, where similar programs show notably higher earnings.

Where Kent State University at Trumbull Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Kent State University at Trumbull graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Kent State University at Trumbull	$38,871	$37,721	-3%
Kent State University at Tuscarawas	$38,871	$37,721	-3%
Kent State University at Ashtabula	$38,871	$37,721	-3%
Kent State University at East Liverpool	$38,871	$37,721	-3%
Kent State University at Salem	$38,871	$37,721	-3%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Business/Commerce associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (31 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Kent State University at TrumbullWarren	$7,272	$38,871	$37,721	$20,565	0.53
James A. Rhodes State CollegeLima	$4,657	$45,238	$37,556	—	—
Kent State University at AshtabulaAshtabula	$7,272	$38,871	$37,721	$20,565	0.53
Kent State University at East LiverpoolEast Liverpool	$7,272	$38,871	$37,721	$20,565	0.53
Kent State University at TuscarawasNew Philadelphia	$7,272	$38,871	$37,721	$20,565	0.53
Kent State University at KentKent	$12,846	$38,871	$37,721	$20,565	0.53
National Median	—	$36,591	—	$13,437	0.37

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 Trumbull, approximately 37% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 42 graduates with reported earnings and 55 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.