Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

For an aerospace engineering degree, the estimated $23,656 debt load—if accurate—would represent a significant advantage over what similar programs nationally tend to produce. With peer programs typically carrying $25,000 in median debt and Ohio aerospace programs averaging even higher at $25,853, this lighter burden matters when paired with projected first-year earnings around $75,000 based on comparable Ohio aerospace programs.

That earnings figure aligns precisely with the state median and sits just above the national benchmark of $72,210, suggesting Akron's aerospace graduates likely enter similar career trajectories as peers from more selective institutions. The real difference appears in the debt-to-earnings ratio: at an estimated 0.32, graduates would be carrying roughly one-third of their first-year salary in loans, which creates meaningful breathing room for early-career engineers. Case Western graduates may earn $8,000 more initially, but they're also taking on substantially more debt to get there.

The caveat here is that these figures are projections based on other programs rather than tracked outcomes from Akron's own aerospace graduates. For a major where hands-on projects, co-op placements, and industry connections directly impact job prospects, your child should investigate whether Akron's specific program provides robust pathways into aerospace employers in the region. If those connections exist, this combination of lower debt and solid projected earnings makes practical sense—but verify those industry ties before committing.