Mechanical Engineering Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$82K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$116K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.8 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Mechanical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $81,900.
Category
Engineering
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%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering 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
$45,150
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
1.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$917,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($997,500) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Mechanical Engineering
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$80K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$75K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$80K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$84K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$81K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$70K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$66K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$66K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Akron
Petroleum Engineering
$53K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering 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 Mechanical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.