University of Akron vs. SU

Should I go to University of Akron Main Campus or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Akron or SU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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University of Akron Main Campus vs. Shenandoah University comparison
University of Akron Main Campus Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
University of Akron Main Campus Shenandoah University
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Overview

 University of Akron SU
Location Akron, OH Winchester, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 13,518 4,343
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #858 #523
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uakron.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Akron SU
Tuition (In State) $10,399 $34,614
Tuition (Out of State) $14,839 $34,614
Room & Board $11,070 $11,800
Avg Net Price $15,292 $26,400
Avg Grant Aid $9,452 $24,100
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

 University of Akron SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,982 3,763
Admitted 10,624 2,929
Acceptance Rate 70.9%Open 77.8%
Enrolled % 19.7%Open 16.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 19/26
SAT Range 950/1190 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 University of Akron SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 University of Akron SU
Graduation Rate 38% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,100 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $258

Diversity

 University of Akron SU
% Men 7% 9%
% Women 9% 31%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 59%
% Black 12% 11%
% Hispanic 2% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 13%

Students

 University of Akron SU
% In-State 91% 58%
% Out-of-State 7% 42%

Campus

 University of Akron SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Akron Main Campus is larger than than SU based on total student enrollment (13,518 students vs. 4,343 students)

University of Akron vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Akron or SU?

  • Shenandoah University is 232.9% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($34,614.00 vs. $10,399.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 133.3% higher at SU than University of Akron Main Campus ($34,614.00 vs. $14,839.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than SU ($15,292 vs. $26,400)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Akron Main Campus are 6.6% lower than costs at Shenandoah University ($11,070 vs. $11,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than University of Akron Main Campus (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 155% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($24,100 vs. $9,452)

University of Akron vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Akron or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or University of Akron .

  • The average SAT score at University of Akron Main Campus (1049) is 44 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Incoming University of Akron students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at SU (22)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Akron (3.47)
  • SU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than University of Akron (70.9%)

University of Akron vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Akron or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and University of Akron.

  • The graduation rate at SU is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (45% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $8,200 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $40,100)
  • Shenandoah University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,500)
  • SU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($258 vs. $263)
  • More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/