Public Health Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Public Health degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Public Health in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Public Health students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Public Health has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Epidemiology and Biostatistics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $52,500.
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%
Public Health Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Public Health salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Public Health ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Public Health 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
$15,750
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$360,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($441,000) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Public Health in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Public Health
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Public Health in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Public Health graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Public Health Job Titles
Public Health in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$52K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$48K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$51K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$54K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$52K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$45K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$42K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$43K 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
Nursing
$71K starting · 3.2 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
Radiologic Technology
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Public Health 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 Public Health ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.