Computer Programming at Kent State University at Trumbull

Kent State Trumbull's computer programming associate degree sits right at Ohio's median for earnings—$36,388 in the first year—but that's actually below the national benchmark of $38,086. What's more concerning is where this positions graduates relative to what the field can offer: Cincinnati State's program produces graduates earning $56,000 annually, demonstrating that this associate degree *can* be a launch pad to significantly better outcomes within Ohio itself.

The debt load of $20,729 creates a manageable 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio, and the essentially flat earnings growth from year one to year four (just 1%) suggests graduates find stable but not rapidly advancing positions. For a family looking at community college as an affordable pathway into tech, this delivers entry-level access without overwhelming debt. However, with barely 30 graduates in this dataset, these figures might not represent the typical experience—a few outliers could skew the picture considerably.

The core question is whether $36,000-range earnings justify even modest debt when other Ohio programs show the potential for 50% higher pay. If your student is committed to staying local in the Warren area and needs an affordable start in tech, this works. But if mobility is an option, Cincinnati State's outcomes suggest you should explore programs with stronger employer connections or more robust tech ecosystems before committing.