The University of Akron provides reliable, affordable access to solid technical programs that prepare students for Ohio's key industries.
Engineering and nursing graduates achieve strong earnings that justify the investment, while moderate debt levels keep education accessible across income levels.
The University of Akron Main Campus serves as a comprehensive public research university in Ohio, offering broad access with moderate overall outcomes. While the institution doesn't rank in the top tiers nationally for composite value, it provides a solid educational foundation with particular strengths in engineering and health sciences. Nearly 29% of students receive Pell Grants and about 36% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's role in serving working-class Ohio families.
The university's outcomes vary significantly by program choice. Engineering graduates, particularly in mechanical and chemical engineering, achieve strong earnings that often exceed $65,000-70,000 ten years after graduation. Nursing programs also deliver solid returns with graduates earning around $57,000 in stable, in-demand careers. However, graduates in fields like psychology see more modest earnings around $26,600, highlighting the importance of major selection at Akron.
As a large public institution, the University of Akron provides the resources and program breadth typical of comprehensive universities while maintaining affordability for Ohio families. The university's 48% six-year graduation rate and moderate debt levels create a pathway for students who choose programs aligned with strong employment markets, particularly in Ohio's manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
The University of Akron's program portfolio centers on technical fields that connect directly to Ohio's industrial economy. Mechanical Engineering stands out as both a large program with 197 graduates and a high-return field with median earnings around $66,821, making it the university's flagship offering. Chemical Engineering delivers even stronger individual outcomes at approximately $71,015, though with smaller enrollment that limits its overall institutional impact.
Nursing represents the university's largest program with 220 graduates annually, providing stable middle-class earnings around $57,068 in Ohio's growing healthcare sector. This program exemplifies Akron's strength in professional preparation—large enrollment combined with predictable career outcomes that justify the educational investment. The contrast with Psychology, where 97 graduates earn around $26,611, illustrates how program choice dramatically affects financial outcomes at Akron.
The university's technical focus serves Ohio's manufacturing and healthcare industries well, with engineering and nursing programs producing graduates who fill essential regional workforce needs. Students who align their major selection with these high-demand fields typically achieve solid returns, while those in liberal arts or social sciences face more challenging employment markets that limit earning potential.
Graduates of the University of Akron see moderate long-term financial outcomes, with a median of $46,600 ten years after enrollment. The university's overall earnings performance sits below national averages for public institutions, but outcomes vary dramatically by field of study. Students who choose engineering or nursing programs typically achieve much stronger financial results than the institutional median suggests.
The standout program is Mechanical Engineering, which combines high enrollment with strong earnings around $66,821, making it a key economic driver for the university. Chemical Engineering delivers even higher individual earnings at approximately $71,015, though with smaller enrollment numbers. Adult Health Nursing, the university's largest program with 220 graduates, provides solid middle-class earnings around $57,068 in a stable, growing field. These technical programs contrast sharply with liberal arts fields like Psychology, where graduates earn around $26,611, well below the institutional average.
The university's program mix heavily influences individual outcomes. Students who select engineering, nursing, or other technical fields generally see returns that justify their investment, while those in lower-earning majors may find limited financial upside. About 300 graduates annually earn more than $75,000, primarily concentrated in engineering, business, and health programs that connect directly to Ohio's industrial and healthcare job markets.
The University of Akron offers strong affordability across income levels, with net prices that remain reasonable for most Ohio families. Low-income students pay approximately $12,469 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $14,771 per year. Even higher-income families face manageable expenses at roughly $19,698, making Akron accessible across the economic spectrum without the premium pricing seen at many flagship institutions.
Debt levels are moderate and generally sustainable for graduates who choose higher-earning programs. Typical federal student loan debt is about $23,250, which aligns with national averages for public universities. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $18,436, a reasonable level that reflects families' willingness to invest in technical programs with clear career pathways. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that most borrowers successfully manage their repayment obligations.
What makes Akron particularly sustainable is the combination of moderate debt levels with strong outcomes in key programs. Engineering and nursing graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment given their earning potential, while students in lower-earning fields benefit from the university's overall affordability structure that keeps debt burdens from becoming overwhelming.
University Of Akron Main Campus Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
