Nursing Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$86K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.3 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Nursing students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $71,400.
Category
Healthcare
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%
Nursing Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing 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
$34,650
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
2.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$654,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($735,000) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Nursing
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$70K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$65K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$69K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$73K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$71K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$61K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$57K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$58K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Akron
Pharmacy
$53K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$53K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$53K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$53K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing 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 Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.