University of Akron Main Campus
University of Akron Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is University of Akron Main Campus Worth It?
University of Akron Main Campus offers moderate value at $13,946/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $46,600, which is 13% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $23,250 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How University of Akron Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #47 of 104 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #4 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 100 | $3,203 | $56,195 |
| #5 | University of North Florida | 95 | $10,154 | $56,343 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #47 | University of Akron Main Campus | 42 | $13,946 | $46,600 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Akron Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in OH.
Best Programs at University of Akron Main Campus
The highest-earning program at University of Akron Main Campus is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $68,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Akron Main Campus earns $68,300, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $22,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $29,750 in median debt vs. $28,050 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,946/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,300 | $68,300 | $29,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $67,200 | $67,200 | $22,250 |
| Computer Engineering | $65,200 | $65,200 | $27,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $64,500 | $64,500 | $26,500 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $63,800 | $63,800 | $23,000 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $58,400 | $58,400 | $24,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $57,800 | $57,800 | $25,000 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | $57,700 | $57,700 | $23,250 |
| Civil Engineering | $57,600 | $57,600 | $26,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,300 | $56,300 | $21,500 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $55,900 | $55,900 | $23,179 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $51,200 | $51,200 | $20,087 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $45,600 | $45,600 | $26,875 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,100 | $45,100 | $24,444 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $25,550 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $26,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $44,200 | $44,200 | $30,589 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,200 | $44,200 | $26,500 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $39,100 | $39,100 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $37,800 | $37,800 | $23,555 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $36,100 | $36,100 | $25,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,100 | $36,100 | $30,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $34,500 | $34,500 | $30,169 |
| Fire Protection | $34,100 | $34,100 | $23,687 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,700 | $32,700 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,500 | $32,500 | $26,875 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $32,300 | $32,300 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,700 | $31,700 | $24,808 |
| Criminology | $31,100 | $31,100 | $25,750 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $30,000 | $30,000 | $31,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,900 | $29,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $22,721 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $28,600 | $28,600 | $28,874 |
| Social Work | $28,200 | $28,200 | $28,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,600 | $27,600 | $24,955 |
| Psychology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $25,250 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $27,000 | $27,000 | $25,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $26,900 | $26,900 | $30,985 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,900 | $26,900 | $27,000 |
| History | $25,700 | $25,700 | $30,375 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,400 | $24,400 | $21,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,000 | $22,000 | $28,050 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Akron, OH
- Student Body
- 9,052 students
- Admission Rate
- 60%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,946
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,600
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250