At $14,981/yr net price, University of Akron Main Campus graduates earn $46,600/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,600/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,981 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $59,924 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,600/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,600/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,469/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,319/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,771/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,982/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,698/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $96,126 | $41,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $81,111 | $29,568 |
| Taxation. | Master | $74,953 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,015 | $21,250 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,558 | $24,720 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $26,953 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,002 | $23,320 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,821 | $24,000 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science. | Bachelor | $61,630 | $24,668 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Bachelor | $59,950 | $26,759 |
The Risk Factor
48.2% of students at University of Akron Main Campus graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The University of Akron gives you a mixed financial picture that swings hard on your major. The median graduate earns $46,600 ten years out, which is modest against a net price near $15,000 a year, and only 48% of students finish. That combination is the core risk: the debt is manageable at around $23,000, but a degree here only pays off cleanly if you land in the right program and actually graduate.
Engineering is where the money is. Chemical engineering grads clear $71,000, and electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering all land in the high $60,000s while carrying similar debt to the campus median. Pick one of these and your return is strong. The gap between chemical engineering at $71,000 and the school-wide median at $46,600 tells you most of the story: the engineering programs carry Akron's numbers, and everything outside them earns well below that top tier.
The biggest risk is the 48% graduation rate. If you borrow, start a program you don't finish, and leave with debt but no degree, this school works against you. The 73% retention rate means more than a quarter of first-year students don't return, so treat finishing as the real hurdle here, not admission.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $12,300, close to $7,000 less than families over $110,000. That makes Akron a solid value if you qualify for need-based aid and enroll in engineering. If you're paying the full $19,698 for a major outside the engineering programs, look harder at the math before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Akron Main Campus worth the cost?
University of Akron offers decent value for specific programs like nursing ($96,126 median earnings) and business ($81,111), but the overall graduate earnings of $46,600 are modest given the $23,250 median debt load. The 48% graduation rate means roughly half of students don't finish their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at University of Akron Main Campus?
Nursing programs lead with $96,126 median earnings, followed by business administration at $81,111 and taxation at $74,953. Engineering fields like chemical and electrical also perform well, with earnings around $70,000.
How much debt do University of Akron Main Campus graduates have?
The median debt is $23,250, which is manageable if you graduate in a high-paying field like nursing or engineering. However, with overall graduate earnings at $46,600, debt repayment could be challenging for lower-paying majors.
What is the graduation rate at University of Akron Main Campus?
Only 48% of students graduate, meaning more than half don't complete their degrees. This significantly impacts the school's return on investment since students may accumulate debt without earning a degree.