About Kent State University at Ashtabula
This regional campus of Kent State University serves 1,314 students in the small lakeside town of Ashtabula, offering a more intimate college experience than the main campus. The branch focuses heavily on career-oriented programs like nursing, business, and technology fields that align with the local job market in northeastern Ohio. Nearly 98% of students come from within Ohio, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere where students often know each other by name.
The financial picture presents mixed signals for prospective students. Most students pay around $10,753 annually after aid, making it an affordable option for Ohio families. However, graduates earn a median of $45,388 ten years after graduation, which barely covers the typical $260 monthly loan payment many face. With median debt at $24,500 and a loan repayment rate of just 47%, the return on investment requires careful consideration.
The biggest concern here is persistence. Only 29% of students return for their second year, and just 26% graduate within six years. These low completion rates reflect the challenges many students face balancing work, family, and academic demands in a region with limited economic opportunities. Students who do graduate find work easily, with a 96% employment rate, but the path to degree completion proves difficult for most.
The financial picture presents mixed signals for prospective students. Most students pay around $10,753 annually after aid, making it an affordable option for Ohio families. However, graduates earn a median of $45,388 ten years after graduation, which barely covers the typical $260 monthly loan payment many face. With median debt at $24,500 and a loan repayment rate of just 47%, the return on investment requires careful consideration.
The biggest concern here is persistence. Only 29% of students return for their second year, and just 26% graduate within six years. These low completion rates reflect the challenges many students face balancing work, family, and academic demands in a region with limited economic opportunities. Students who do graduate find work easily, with a 96% employment rate, but the path to degree completion proves difficult for most.
Academics & Faculty
Kent State Ashtabula operates as a regional campus offering accessible higher education with a practical focus. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes typical of regional campuses, though the small 1,314-student enrollment creates a tight-knit community atmosphere. The campus emphasizes career-ready programs and transfer pathways to the main Kent State campus. However, the 19.19% four-year graduation rate and 28.57% retention rate reflect challenges many students face balancing work, family, and academic commitments. The school serves primarily local students, with 97.56% from Ohio, focusing on workforce development for northeast Ohio's manufacturing and healthcare sectors rather than traditional four-year degree completion.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 42.1%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 19.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 25.8%
- Retention Rate
- 28.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,388
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,638 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,305 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $44,170 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $41,379 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $34,978 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $31,133 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,194 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $23,456 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $21,508 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $20,140 |
Campus Life
This regional campus sits in a small Ohio town about 55 miles northeast of Cleveland, close enough for occasional big-city trips but far enough to feel distinctly small-town. With 1,314 students spread across a compact campus, you'll recognize faces quickly. Winter coats are essential here along Lake Erie, where snow blankets the campus from December through March and lake-effect storms can shut down classes.
Women make up 62.4% of students, creating a female-majority environment. Nearly all students (97.56%) come from Ohio, so expect to hear familiar accents and references to Cleveland sports teams. The small size means limited on-campus housing, so most students commute from nearby communities or live off-campus in Ashtabula. Weekend social life revolves around small gatherings rather than big campus events. Students often head to nearby Geneva-on-the-Lake in warmer months or make the hour drive to Cleveland for concerts and nightlife. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, but it also means fewer course options and campus activities than you'd find at the main Kent campus.
Women make up 62.4% of students, creating a female-majority environment. Nearly all students (97.56%) come from Ohio, so expect to hear familiar accents and references to Cleveland sports teams. The small size means limited on-campus housing, so most students commute from nearby communities or live off-campus in Ashtabula. Weekend social life revolves around small gatherings rather than big campus events. Students often head to nearby Geneva-on-the-Lake in warmer months or make the hour drive to Cleveland for concerts and nightlife. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, but it also means fewer course options and campus activities than you'd find at the main Kent campus.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1958
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 18°–33°F
- July Avg
- 61°–80°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 42.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Kent State Ashtabula draws overwhelmingly from Ohio, with 98% of students coming from in-state. The campus serves as an accessible entry point for local students seeking four-year degrees close to home. Women make up nearly two-thirds of enrollment, reflecting the school's strength in health sciences and education programs. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the regional campus fulfills its mission of providing affordable higher education to working-class families in northeastern Ohio's rust belt communities.
- Men
- 37.6%
- Women
- 62.4%
- White
- 77.3%
- Black
- 9.1%
- Hispanic
- 4.7%
- Asian
- 1.3%
- In-State Students
- 97.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 34.4%
Location
Kent State Ashtabula sits in northeastern Ohio, about 60 miles east of Cleveland along Lake Erie's shoreline. This regional campus serves a small town of roughly 18,000 residents in Ohio's historic Western Reserve. The area blends industrial heritage with lakefront recreation, as Ashtabula operates one of the Great Lakes' busiest ports. With 97.56% of students coming from in-state, the campus draws heavily from local communities seeking affordable higher education. The town offers a quieter alternative to urban campuses while maintaining access to Cleveland's job market. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Kent State Ashtabula with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,388
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $53,321
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $33,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 47.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $260/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $24,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements at Kent State University at Ashtabula?
As a regional campus of Kent State University, Ashtabula serves primarily Ohio students with 97.56% coming from in-state. The campus maintains a 28.57% retention rate, suggesting accessible admission standards but challenges with student persistence.
How much does Kent State University at Ashtabula cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $10,753 annually. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $8,922, while those earning over $110,000 pay $14,459, making it affordable for most Ohio families.
What is the academic experience like at Kent State University at Ashtabula?
With 1,314 students and a 22:1 student-faculty ratio, classes tend to be larger than typical small colleges. The campus offers access to Kent State's programs while serving the northeastern Ohio region with practical, career-focused education.
What are the graduation rates at Kent State University at Ashtabula?
Only 19.19% of students graduate within four years, and 25.80% finish within six years. Despite low completion rates, 96.4% of graduates find employment, and median earnings reach $45,388 ten years after enrollment.
Where is Kent State University at Ashtabula located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in Ashtabula, Ohio, a town-distant setting along Lake Erie. Women make up 62.40% of the student body, and the small size of 1,314 students creates an intimate learning environment.
How manageable is student debt at Kent State University at Ashtabula?
Students graduate with a median debt of $24,500 and monthly loan payments of $260. With a 47.06% loan repayment rate, many graduates struggle to repay their loans despite the relatively modest debt levels.
