Stark State College vs Kent State University at Stark: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Kent State University at Stark comes closer — median earnings $45,388 against a $21,794 total, vs $34,661 at Stark State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Stark State College | Kent State University at Stark |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,986 | $10,897 |
| Total net cost | $23,944 | $21,794 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,661 | $45,388 |
| Median debt | $13,786 | $24,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$297,924 | -$81,234 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Stark State College or Kent State University at Stark?
Stark State College, at $5,986 a year after aid versus $10,897 — a gap of $4,911 a year, or $2,150 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Stark State College or Kent State University at Stark graduates earn more?
Kent State University at Stark graduates report a median $45,388 ten years after entry, $10,727 more than the $34,661 at Stark State College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Stark State College or Kent State University at Stark?
Stark State College: its completers carry a median $13,786 in federal loans versus $24,500 at Kent State University at Stark, a difference of $10,714. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at Kent State University at Stark, against 23% at Stark State College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.