International Business at University of Akron Main Campus

Similar International Business programs in Ohio typically produce starting salaries around $57,400, which places Akron's program squarely in the middle of the state's range. The estimated $27,000 in debt—while above the national median for this major—translates to a manageable 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio. What matters more here is the trajectory: four-year earnings of $53,265 suggest graduates in comparable programs often see a dip or stagnation after their first year, which is unusual for business degrees that typically show steady progression.

The uncertainty around these estimates is significant. With actual data unavailable due to small graduate cohorts, you're essentially betting that Akron's outcomes mirror the state average. The $57,400 figure comes from just 12 Ohio programs, and the debt estimate from 9 similar schools. That's a narrow comparison group, and Akron's 71% admission rate and mid-range test scores suggest it may attract a different student profile than flagship programs like Ohio State, which reports nearly identical starting earnings but likely with stronger networking advantages.

For a degree focused on global commerce, the return seems pedestrian. If your child has genuine international business ambitions, the lack of clear differentiation from other Ohio programs and the flat earnings progression should prompt questions about internship pipelines, study abroad integration, and employer connections specific to Akron—factors that data from peer programs can't capture.