Mathematics and Computer Science at University of Akron Main Campus

University of Akron's Mathematics and Computer Science program occupies an interesting middle ground: it significantly underperforms the national median ($68,137 versus $89,651 nationally), yet outperforms the typical Ohio program in this field, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. For Ohio families keeping costs local, this becomes more defensible than the national comparison suggests, though with only two programs tracked in the state, that benchmark has limited meaning.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $24,813, translating to a 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can manage. With first-year earnings of $68,137, you're looking at about 4-5 months of gross income to cover the debt load. The 15% earnings growth to $78,504 by year four shows steady progression, though these figures still trail what computer science graduates typically command at more competitive programs.

The real question is opportunity cost. If your child can access one of the stronger national programs in this field, the $20,000+ earnings gap matters—that's real money compounding over a career. But for students who value staying in Ohio or need the access provided by a 71% admission rate, Akron delivers employable technical skills without crushing debt. Just understand you're trading some earning potential for accessibility and lower risk, which may be the right call depending on your family's circumstances.