Statistics at University of Akron Main Campus

Statistics grads from comparable programs typically start around $47,689—which lands this program well below both Ohio's median ($54,696) and the national benchmark ($59,718). Even Miami University-Oxford's statistics program, just two hours south, produces first-year earnings of $61,702. That's a $14,000 gap that compounds over time, and it matters when you're trying to justify any level of debt, even one as manageable as the estimated $20,150 here.

The debt figure itself comes from national data for similar bachelor's programs and appears reasonable—about five months of first-year salary. But the earnings lag is the real concern. Landing in the 16th percentile nationally means 84% of statistics programs produce better early outcomes. This isn't about prestige; it's about why employers are paying Akron statistics grads 20% less than the national median for the same degree.

Before committing, your child should dig into where Akron's statistics graduates actually go. Are they staying in Akron's slower-wage local market? Do they lack the data science or programming skills that higher-earning programs emphasize? The debt is fine, but the earnings need a better explanation than "it's just Akron." Other Ohio programs demonstrate you don't need to leave the state to earn more.