Psychology at University of Akron Main Campus

The University of Akron's psychology program delivers exactly average results—graduates earn slightly below both national and state medians initially ($30,456 versus $31,482 nationally), placing the program near the 40th percentile among Ohio's 74 psychology programs. The positive surprise here is debt: at $27,000, it's actually lower than typical for psychology degrees, and the 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than a year's salary, which is manageable territory.

The bigger question is whether your child plans to stop at a bachelor's degree. Psychology typically requires graduate education for career advancement, and these earnings reflect that reality—$30,456 right out of college won't go far in covering living expenses while applying to graduate programs. The 25% earnings growth to $38,018 by year four suggests some students find their footing in related fields (HR, social services, case management), but that's still modest compensation. Compare this to top-performing Ohio programs like Kenyon ($39,203) or John Carroll ($36,602), which demonstrate that institutional factors matter even within the same major.

If graduate school is the plan, Akron's lower debt load is actually a strategic advantage—you're not overpaying for the stepping stone. But if the expectation is that a bachelor's alone will lead to financial independence, these numbers should temper those hopes. For families seeking an affordable path to a psychology career that includes graduate study, this works. For those hoping the bachelor's is the endpoint, reconsider the major or the career timeline.