Public Relations Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Public Relations 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 Relations in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Public Relations students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Public Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Media Relations and Crisis Communication. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $52,500.
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%
Public Relations Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Public Relations 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 Relations ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Public Relations 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 Relations in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Public Relations
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 Relations in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Public Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Public Relations Job Titles
Public Relations 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 Communications Majors in Akron
Public Relations 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 Relations ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.