Fine and Studio Arts at University of Akron Main Campus

The University of Akron's Fine Arts program shows starting salaries around $23,000—below both Ohio's state median ($24,912) and the national average for art programs. While the 37% earnings growth to $31,000 by year four looks promising on paper, the small sample size here (fewer than 30 graduates) makes it hard to know if that trajectory is reliable or just reflects a handful of students who found solid footing. Among Ohio's 59 fine arts programs, Akron ranks around the 40th percentile, meaning more than half of in-state alternatives deliver better starting outcomes.

The $25,919 debt load isn't catastrophic for an art degree—it's slightly below the national median—but paired with those initial earnings, it creates a tight first-year budget. That 1.13 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would owe more than they'll make in their first year, which can strain loan repayment even on income-driven plans. Compare this to programs like Bowling Green or University of Cincinnati, where graduates start at $29,000-$31,000 with similar debt levels.

If your child is committed to art school in Ohio and considering Akron primarily for affordability or location, understand they're likely starting at a lower earnings baseline than peers at other state schools. The financial risk isn't extreme, but it's also not minimal—and the limited data makes it harder to predict their individual outcome with confidence.