TESOL at Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public · Certificate · Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language

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

Program Analysis

At $22,149 per year, TESOL graduates from Kent State University at Kent earn below the $32,776 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 27.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI TESOL programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 31% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for TESOL graduates.

Median debt of $24,500 against $22,149/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load for a trade program.

This program is one of 4 schools offering TESOL in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Five-year earnings of $35,508 show a 60% jump from the $22,149 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
48
Score
50
High End
Earnings $22,149/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (69% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (279,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$389K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
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)
$12,846
Out-of-state: $22,316
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
13.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,508
60% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for TESOL graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580 -1.6% 67%
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education $62,970 -2.0% 65%
Elementary school teachers, except special education $62,340 -2.0% 69%
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$64,580
-1.6% growth 67% AI-proof
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$62,970
-2.0% growth 65% AI-proof
Elementary school teachers, except special education
$62,340
-2.0% growth 69% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

TESOL Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, TESOL careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering education.

Read the full TESOL career guide →

Compare & Explore

TESOL Overview

TESOL 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 48/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for TESOL at Kent State University at Kent?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for TESOL. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is TESOL to AI automation?
With 31% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $231,727 in decade earnings vs $388,687 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the payoff timeline for TESOL from Kent State University at Kent?
At $24,500 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Kent State University at Kent a good choice for TESOL despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What's the job market like for TESOL from Kent State University at Kent?
The career paths mapped to TESOL have roughly 279,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by enrollment growth and teacher shortage dynamics.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →