Akron, OHpublicwww.uakron.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 71%–85% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (60%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Akron is a public research university that operates like a sprawling, pragmatic engine for Northeast Ohio. It's defined by its deep, symbiotic relationship with the industrial and healthcare sectors of its namesake city, offering a massive catalog of 200+ majors with a particular gravitational pull toward engineering, nursing, and criminal justice. The vibe is commuter-heavy and career-focused, where a significant portion of the student body lives off-campus and the measure of success is often a solid first job in the region.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Akron's admissions process is best described as accessible and moderately selective, with a focus on bringing in a large, diverse undergraduate class. The university does not have a binding Early Decision program; its early action pathway is non-binding. The admissions office states that special consideration is given for participation in both school and non-school-related activities, indicating a beyond just grades and test scores. A high school diploma is required, and a GED is not accepted for admission. The process is test-flexible, with the middle 50% SAT range for admitted students who submitted scores falling between 900 and 1190. The most important factors in admissions decisions are the applicant's academic GPA and the rigor of their secondary school record. Class rank, standardized test scores, and the application essay are also considered. Notably, the university does not consider an applicant's status, alumni relation, geographical residence, state residency, religious affiliation, volunteer work, work experience, or level of interest in attending (demonstrated interest) in its admissions decisions.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
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Academic life at Akron is defined by breadth, practicality, and direct ties to local industry. Students choose from over 200 undergraduate majors, minors, and certificates, many of which are interdisciplinary. The curriculum is built on a general education foundation designed to develop intellectual skills in oral and written communication, information literacy, and logical or quantitative reasoning. The university's identity is deeply intertwined with the city's in polymers and manufacturing, which is reflected in its academic strengths.
The most popular majors tell a clear story about the university's role in the regional workforce:
Programs like the Biomedical Science major and offerings within the Humanities and Social Sciences divisions are explicitly designed as interdisciplinary studies. The university promotes its connection to local employers with taglines like "engineering at Goodyear" and "nursing in the NICU," positioning itself as a direct pipeline for talent into key Ohio industries.
Campus life at Akron has a distinct character shaped by its urban setting and commuter population. Only 24% of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, while 76% live off-campus. This creates a dynamic where a significant portion of the student body is coming and going, though the university makes concerted efforts to build community on campus. The Department of Student Life is the engine for this, bringing students together through engaging events, educational initiatives, and campus experiences.
Students have access to over 340 student organizations, a vibrant Fraternity & Sorority Life community, and a Recreation & Wellness Center. The annual calendar is punctuated by traditions and events like New Roo Convocation, Fall In Love With Akron, Ice Cream Socials, and ZABfest. Student reviews describe the campus as a "mix of older and newer buildings, facilities and people," with a cultural mix that feels refreshing. The overall impression is of a campus that provides ample opportunity for involvement, but where the onus is on the student to seek it out and connect.
For a large public university like Akron, outcomes are a mixed but improving picture, with a strong emphasis on career placement in the region. The university's strategic plan aims to increase its first-time, full-time bachelor's degree graduation rate. Recent data shows promising momentum in career outcomes and starting salaries for graduates.
The university reports that its Spring 2022 Career Outcomes Rate was 95%. More recently, May 2024 graduates who earned a bachelor's degree secured an average starting salary of $69,499, which represents an 8.9% increase over the previous year's class. This continues an upward trend; the average starting salary for bachelor's graduates was $63,806, marking a nearly 9% increase since 2021. These figures suggest that graduates, particularly in high-demand fields like nursing and engineering, are entering the workforce with competitive compensation.
As a public university, Akron positions itself as an affordable option, particularly for in-state students. The primary stated purpose of its financial aid office is to ensure that "no person is denied the opportunity of attending college because of financial need." The university offers a standard package of federal and state aid, including grants, work-study, and loans. Students are encouraged to borrow responsibly and are not required to accept the full loan amount offered.
The university provides a Calculator for families to estimate their actual cost. On-campus, full-time tuition and fees are listed as a starting point for calculating the , upon which financial aid awards (scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans) are based. The university does not advertise a "no-loan" policy or a guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans; its aid packages typically include loan options as part of the financing mix.
The University of Akron stands out for its unapologetic identity as a metropolitan university built for and by its city. It doesn't try to be an isolated liberal arts enclave; instead, it leans into its role as a major talent provider for Northeast Ohio's core industries. Its standout features are this deep regional integration and its sheer scale of practical program offerings.
Its polymer science and engineering programs are world-renowned, born from Akron's history as the "Rubber Capital of the World." This creates a unique ecosystem where academic programs in engineering, business, and law are directly informed by and connected to global companies in the materials and manufacturing sectors. Furthermore, its health professions programs, especially nursing, benefit from partnerships with the city's major hospital systems, providing unparalleled clinical training opportunities.
For a student seeking a affordable, career-focused education with direct pathways into stable, well-compensated professions in the Midwest, Akron offers a clear and pragmatic value proposition. It's a university where the line between classroom and career is deliberately blurred, and success is measured by employability and starting salary growth in the region it calls home.