Kent State University at Tuscarawas excels at making higher education accessible and affordable, particularly for first-generation students and working-class families in eastern Ohio.
The campus maintains exceptional affordability with a perfect loan repayment record, reflecting its commitment to sustainable career preparation.
Kent State University at Tuscarawas serves as a focused regional campus that emphasizes accessibility and affordability over prestige or research intensity. As a small public institution in New Philadelphia, Ohio, it enrolls students who often represent the first in their families to attend college—about 36% are first-generation students, and roughly 31% receive Pell Grants. The campus operates with a clear mission: provide practical, career-oriented education that leads directly into stable employment in technical and professional fields.
While Kent State Tuscarawas doesn't rank among the top-tier institutions for long-term earnings, it delivers consistent value for students seeking straightforward pathways into middle-class careers. Graduates earn a median of $45,388 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower quartile nationally but reflects the practical, applied nature of its program offerings. The campus excels at keeping costs manageable, with net prices that rank in the top 25% nationally for affordability.
What distinguishes this regional campus is its role as an "Opportunity Builder"—an institution that provides meaningful access to higher education while helping students achieve modest but reliable upward mobility. For many students in eastern Ohio, Kent State Tuscarawas represents a realistic stepping stone into technical careers that offer stability and growth potential without requiring the debt loads or competitive pressures associated with larger universities.
Kent State University at Tuscarawas operates with a focused program portfolio centered on practical, career-ready fields that serve regional economic needs. Applied Engineering Technologies stands as the campus's flagship program, graduating 51 students annually with median earnings of $41,193 ten years out. This program exemplifies the institution's approach: hands-on technical training that leads directly into stable employment in manufacturing, construction, and industrial settings throughout Ohio.
The campus's program mix reflects its mission as a regional technical institution rather than a comprehensive university. Students enter programs designed to meet specific workforce needs in eastern Ohio, where technical skills and practical training often matter more than theoretical knowledge. The relatively modest earnings reflect the nature of these career paths, but they represent solid middle-class outcomes with clear advancement potential and job security.
What distinguishes Kent State Tuscarawas is its focus on program quality over quantity. Rather than offering dozens of majors with varying outcomes, the campus concentrates on fields where it can provide excellent preparation for regional employment opportunities. This approach ensures that graduates enter the job market with skills that employers value and career paths that offer stability and growth potential in Ohio's regional economy.
Kent State University at Tuscarawas delivers practical, career-focused outcomes that align with its mission as a regional technical campus. Graduates earn a median of $45,388 ten years after enrollment, which reflects the institution's concentration in applied fields rather than high-earning professional tracks. While these earnings place the campus in the lower quartile nationally, they represent solid middle-class outcomes for students entering technical and service-oriented careers in Ohio's regional economy.
The campus's strongest program is Applied Engineering Technologies, which graduates about 51 students annually and produces median earnings of $41,193 within ten years. This program represents the institution's core strength: preparing students for hands-on technical roles in manufacturing, construction, and industrial settings where demand remains steady and career advancement follows predictable paths. The relatively modest earnings reflect the nature of these fields, but they provide stable employment with benefits and growth potential that many students value over higher-risk, higher-reward career paths.
What Kent State Tuscarawas offers is reliability rather than exceptional financial upside. Graduates enter careers with clear advancement trajectories, and the institution's small size ensures that students receive personalized attention and practical training that translates directly into job readiness. For students seeking technical careers in Ohio's regional economy, the campus provides a straightforward pathway that balances modest debt with dependable employment outcomes.
Kent State University at Tuscarawas stands out for its strong affordability profile, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Low-income students pay an average net price of just $8,621 annually, placing the institution among the most affordable options nationally. Middle-income families see costs around $11,515 per year, while even higher-income students pay a manageable $15,380 annually. These figures reflect the campus's commitment to keeping higher education accessible for working-class families in eastern Ohio.
The debt picture remains reasonable for most graduates, though it requires careful management. Typical federal student loan debt averages $24,500, which represents a significant but manageable burden given the campus's focus on career-ready programs. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $19,131, indicating that many families contribute directly to their students' education costs. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that graduates generally find employment sufficient to meet their repayment obligations.
What makes Kent State Tuscarawas particularly sustainable is its transparent pricing structure and focus on practical career preparation. Students understand what they're paying for—direct job training in technical fields—and can reasonably expect to find employment that supports loan repayment. The combination of low upfront costs and career-focused programming creates a clear value proposition for families seeking affordable access to middle-class employment opportunities.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas Hub Overview
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