Business at Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

Kent State University at Kent has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 19,134 students in Kent, OH.

Program Analysis

At $38,871 per year, Business graduates from Kent State University at Kent earn slightly above the $36,982 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 17.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Business's career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $17,942 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #109 of 130 Business programs, Kent State University at Kent falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,670 are relatively flat compared to the $38,871 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Business offers 8 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
65
Score
67
High End
Earnings $38,871/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$469K
4.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
18.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$25,692
Out-of-state: $44,632
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,942
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,670
17% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

Business opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kent State University at Kent

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 65/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Business at Kent State University at Kent?
A score of 65/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Kent State University at Kent trails the majority of Business programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business at Kent State University at Kent?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $406,677 in decade earnings vs $469,123 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Are there apprenticeship options for Business?
If Kent State University at Kent's tuition gives you pause, consider that 8 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Business. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Business graduates?
At 832,900 annual openings, Business has a very large employment base. Kent State University at Kent graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →