The newly released list of “100 Best Jobs for 2024” by U.S. News and World Report illustrates how Kent State University has the majors that are preparing graduates to lead in tomorrow's workforce.
Kent State is a leading economic driver in Northeast Ohio and the entire state, offering distinctive programs that prepare graduates for the most in-demand jobs, particularly in the field of nursing.
The No. 1 job on the U.S. News list is nurse practitioner, a growing career field and a growing advanced degree program in Kent State’s College of Nursing.
“Kent State's College of Nursing understands the critical need for nurse practitioners now and in the future and is taking the lead in preparing graduates for this field in Northeast Ohio,” said Tracey Motter, DNP, MSN, RN, associate dean of academics and associate professor for Kent State’s College of Nursing.
“Kent State’s College of Nursing offers seven tracks for the education of advanced practice nurses. Currently, we have more than 500 enrolled students who learn from expert practicing nurse practitioners in either the online or hybrid delivery mode and complete practice hours at nationally recognized healthcare facilities, as well as in areas designated as either having a health professional shortage or being medically underserved in meeting the needs of the nation’s most vulnerable populations,” Motter said.
Kent State notes that 98% of College of Nursing graduates who receive their Nursing Practitioner MSN degree are employed upon graduation.
In the No. 2 spot on U.S. News' list of 100 Best Jobs is financial manager, another area where Kent State excels in its training through the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
“The Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship offers numerous pathways for those interested in pursuing a career in financial management. Options for undergraduate students include degrees in finance, economics, accounting or business analytics,” said Steven Dennis, Ph.D., Firestone Endowed Chair in Corporate Finance at Kent State. “For professionals or recent graduates interested in enhancing their skills in these areas, Kent State offers graduate degrees including full-time and online MBA; Master of Arts in economics; Master of Science in accounting; in-person and online Master of Science in business analytics; certificate programs in business analytics and financial management, and a Ph.D. concentration in finance.”
These programs provide students with an understanding of the relationships between business finance and economic systems in the context of analysis and decision-making. Careers in finance offer fast-paced, competitive environments that are financially rewarding.
Kent State students studying finance will develop valuable skills in small class settings and can select courses suited to their interests, chosen from a wide range of topics. Career opportunities include financial analyst, portfolio manager, investment banker, bank management, product development and more.
Rounding out U.S. News’ top 10, are:
4. IT Manager
6. Medical and Health Services Manager
7. Information Security Analyst
9. Actuary
Read about alumna Cameron Gmitra, who recently graduated with a degree in actuarial mathematics.
10. Speech Language Pathologist
To create its rankings, U.S. News “took into account the most important aspects of a job, including growth potential, work-life balance, job safety, employment rate and salary.”
Review the full list of 100 Best Jobs.
Read what U.S. News had to say about its 2024 list of Best Jobs.