Journalism Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Journalism degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.5 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Journalism in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Journalism students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Although national enrollment in Journalism has been declining, graduates with skills in Reporting and Investigative Journalism remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $46,200.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,330/yr
Private Tuition
$45,325/yr
Room & Board
$8,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,336/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
72%
Journalism Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Journalism ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism degree using local Akron tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,330 | Private avg: $45,325
Akron avg aid: $8,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,300
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,450
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
8.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$213,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($294,000) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Journalism
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Journalism in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Journalism Job Titles
Journalism in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$45K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$42K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$45K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$48K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$46K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$40K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$37K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$37K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Akron
Journalism Degree in Akron — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Journalism ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.