Family and Consumer Economics at University of Akron Main Campus

Looking at comparable Family and Consumer Economics programs nationally, this field typically produces modest starting salaries—the $40,141 estimate would place graduates near the national median for this degree. What's more concerning is that Ohio programs in this field generally perform better, with a state median of $46,474, suggesting this degree might deliver below-average outcomes within the state job market. Ohio State's graduates in this program, for instance, start around $46,000—roughly 16% higher than what similar students at Akron might expect.

The estimated debt load of $24,271 isn't catastrophic, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, which means graduates would owe about seven months of their first-year salary. That's manageable if employment is steady, though the margin for error is slim at this income level. Monthly loan payments would consume a meaningful chunk of take-home pay, leaving little cushion for unexpected expenses or aggressive saving.

For families weighing this investment, the central question is whether this specific degree opens doors that justify its cost when Ohio offers stronger-performing programs in the same field. If your student is committed to this career path, compare what networking opportunities, internships, or regional employer connections Akron provides versus programs with better earnings trajectories. The degree itself won't guarantee financial struggle, but peer programs suggest it may underperform state alternatives in early career outcomes.