Kent State (Crawford) vs Dayton
Which MBA program is right for you?
Kent State (Crawford)
Dayton
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Kent State (Crawford) | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #118 | #126 |
| Acceptance Rate | 69% | 75% |
| Avg. GMAT | 540 | 542 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Class Size | 40 | 30 |
| Avg. Salary | $68,000 | $110,000 |
| Employment Rate | 78% | 85% |
| Annual Tuition | $20,000 | $17,000 |
The Verdict
Choose Kent State (Crawford) if…
you want analytics and digital transformation at Ohio public university pricing.
Full Kent State (Crawford) Profile →Choose Dayton if…
you want defense industry outcomes ($110K salary) and Wright-Patterson AFB connections.
Full Dayton Profile →Why People Compare These Two
Both are Ohio MBA programs. Kent State ($20K/year) in Northeast Ohio focuses on analytics. Dayton ($17K/year) in Southwest Ohio produces $110K salaries from defense industry connections. The salary gap ($68K vs $110K) is enormous and driven by Dayton's defense sector pipeline.
The Honest Take
If defense and aerospace interest you, Dayton's $110K outcomes make it the clear choice at lower tuition. If you're in Northeast Ohio targeting Cleveland/Akron employers, Kent State's proximity matters more than Dayton's defense premium. The programs serve different Ohio markets and different career paths. Compare them on career direction, not just ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dayton's salary so much higher?
Dayton's $110K average is driven by defense sector compensation from Wright-Patterson AFB and contractors like Raytheon and L3Harris. Kent State's $68K reflects Northeast Ohio's non-defense economy.
Which is more affordable?
Dayton ($17K/year) is slightly cheaper than Kent State ($20K/year). Dayton's higher salary makes it the ROI winner by a wide margin.
Which is better for analytics?
Kent State Crawford has dedicated business analytics and digital transformation concentrations. Dayton does not emphasize analytics specifically.