Kent State University At Stark stands out for its exceptional affordability, with net prices that rank among the lowest 25% of public universities nationwide across all income brackets.
The campus maintains a zero percent federal loan default rate, reflecting the sustainable relationship between modest costs, reasonable debt levels, and achievable post-graduation earnings.
Kent State University At Stark is a regional public campus that focuses on providing accessible, affordable higher education to students in northeastern Ohio. While the institution doesn't rank among the top performers nationally for earnings outcomes, it delivers meaningful value through its commitment to affordability and access. The campus serves a substantial population of first-generation students and maintains net prices that are well below national averages across all income levels.
As part of the Kent State system, this Stark County campus offers the stability and recognition of an established public university while maintaining the personal scale of a medium-sized institution. The university's approach emphasizes practical education pathways that prepare students for local and regional employment opportunities. With a 37% six-year graduation rate and moderate debt levels, Kent State Stark provides a stepping stone to degree completion for students who might not otherwise pursue higher education.
The institution falls into the "Opportunity Builders" category for mobility, indicating that while it may not produce the highest earnings outcomes, it serves an important role in expanding educational access and helping students achieve upward economic mobility from their starting points.
Kent State University At Stark operates as a regional campus focused on providing practical educational pathways rather than specialized high-earning programs. The institution emphasizes broad-based undergraduate education that prepares students for careers in education, business, healthcare support, and other fields that serve the local economy. Without specific program-level data available, the campus appears to focus on foundational disciplines and professional preparation programs that align with regional workforce needs.
The university's approach prioritizes accessibility and completion over specialization in high-earning fields. This strategy serves the institutional mission of expanding educational access in northeastern Ohio, where many students seek practical career preparation rather than entry into highly competitive professional fields. The modest but steady earnings growth from $40,000 to $45,000 over the first decade suggests that graduates enter stable career paths with room for advancement.
As a regional public institution, Kent State Stark fills an important role in the higher education landscape by providing affordable degree completion opportunities for students who might not otherwise pursue four-year degrees. The campus's focus on practical education and local workforce preparation, combined with its exceptional affordability, makes it a valuable option for students seeking economic advancement through higher education.
Graduates of Kent State University At Stark earn a median of $45,388 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower quartile nationally for earnings outcomes. While these earnings levels are modest compared to flagship universities, they represent meaningful economic progress for the student population the campus serves. The university's earnings performance reflects its role as a regional institution focused on practical career preparation rather than high-earning professional fields.
The campus produces graduates who enter stable, middle-class careers in education, business, healthcare support, and other fields that serve the local economy. With 79 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, the institution demonstrates that strong individual outcomes are possible, though they may be less common than at research-intensive universities. The earnings trajectory shows steady growth from $40,179 at six years to $45,388 at ten years, indicating that graduates continue to advance in their careers over time.
While Kent State Stark's graduates may not achieve the highest earnings levels, the financial outcomes must be viewed in context of the institution's affordability and the economic opportunities available in northeastern Ohio. For many students, particularly first-generation college-goers, these earnings represent significant upward mobility from their family backgrounds and provide a foundation for long-term financial stability.
Kent State University At Stark excels in affordability, with net prices that rank in the top 25% nationally for keeping costs manageable across all income levels. Low-income students pay just $8,024 per year after aid, while middle-income families see annual costs of $12,043, and even high-income students pay only $14,719. These prices are substantially below what most public universities charge, making Kent State Stark one of the more accessible options for Ohio families.
The university's commitment to affordability extends beyond sticker prices to actual borrowing patterns. Students typically graduate with $24,500 in federal loan debt, a moderate level that aligns with the institution's earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $19,131, reflecting families' measured approach to educational financing. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations despite modest earnings levels.
What makes Kent State Stark particularly sustainable for families is the predictable relationship between costs and outcomes. While graduates may not earn at the highest levels, the low net prices and reasonable debt loads create a manageable financial equation. Students can pursue their degrees without taking on excessive risk, and the steady loan repayment patterns suggest that most borrowers find their debt serviceable given their post-graduation earnings and local cost of living.
Kent State University At Stark Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
