University of Cincinnati-Main Campus vs University of Akron Main Campus
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus holds a 17-point ROI advantage over University of Akron Main Campus, scoring 55/100 versus 38/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Akron Main Campus comes in at $13,946 per year (net price after aid) versus $25,648 at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus - a difference of $11,702 annually, or roughly $46,808 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $54,810 compared to $46,600 at University of Akron Main Campus. The payback period is 12.2 years at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus versus 16.9 years at University of Akron Main Campus.
Graduates leave University of Cincinnati-Main Campus with a median $21,250 in debt versus $23,250 at University of Akron Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.54 and 0.69 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Cincinnati-... | University of Akron Main ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,976 | $13,135 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,310 | $20,815 |
| Net Price (avg) | $25,648 | $13,946 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $102,592 | $55,784 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,600 | $33,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $54,810 | $46,600 |
| Graduation Rate | 75.0% | 51.9% |
| Payback Period | 12.2 yr | 16.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,250 | $23,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $225 | $246 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.54 | 0.69 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 75.2% | 70.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 61.7% | 51.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 85.3% | 59.7% |
| Enrollment | 29,882 | 9,052 |
| SAT Range | 1160-1370 | 900-1190 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Cincin... | University of Akron ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $17,974 | $10,413 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $18,092 | $10,131 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $22,492 | $13,519 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $27,596 | $17,800 |
| $110,001+ | $29,616 | $20,226 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Cincin... | University of Akron ... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $102,273 | $96,791 |
| Electrical Engineering | $98,364 | $97,875 |
| Chemical Engineering | $97,220 | $90,279 |
| Information Science | $93,694 | $77,590 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $90,897 | $82,540 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $89,915 | $58,061 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,653 | $82,547 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $86,331 | $87,752 |
| Registered Nursing | $85,551 | $76,089 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $83,501 | $74,840 |
| Accounting | $75,921 | $73,101 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $75,398 | $68,285 |
| Marketing | $72,881 | $65,857 |
| Chemistry | $72,302 | $62,661 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $71,605 | $50,484 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Cincin... | University of Akron ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 39 | 44 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 48 | 32 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 66 | 32 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 85 | 43 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 55 | 41 |
| Overall ROI Score | 55 | 38 |
The Verdict
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus significantly outperforms University of Akron Main Campus on financial ROI (55 vs 38). The 17-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless University of Akron Main Campus offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Cincinnati-Main Campus.
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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Akron Main Campus
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.