Health/Medical Preparatory Programs at University of Akron Main Campus

Starting at $31,218, graduates from Akron's health/medical preparatory program earn about $3,700 less than the Ohio median and fall below three-quarters of similar programs nationally. Among Ohio's 20 schools offering this major, several nearby alternatives—including Kent State and Ohio State—show first-year earnings in the $39,000-$42,000 range. That's a meaningful difference when you're carrying $25,000 in debt, especially since this program sits right at the national median for borrowing.

The debt burden itself isn't alarming at 80% of first-year earnings, and many pre-health students view these bachelor's programs as stepping stones rather than endpoints. If your child is heading to medical, dental, or PA school, the undergraduate earnings matter less than maintaining a strong GPA and gaining relevant experience. However, the small sample size here—under 30 graduates—makes it hard to know if these numbers represent the typical outcome or just reflect a few students' specific paths.

If graduate school is the plan, Akron's lower cost structure (reflected in that 71% admission rate) might make sense. But if there's any chance your child enters the workforce directly after graduation, the earnings gap compared to Ohio State or Kent State compounds over time. Ask the program directly about medical school acceptance rates and what percentage of graduates actually continue their education—that context matters more than the first-year salary for this major.