The University of Akron (51²è¹Ý) is committed to ensuring its graduates have a strong start to their careers after earning a degree. That effort bears out in a survey of spring 2024 51²è¹Ý graduates, who reported an increase in starting salaries.
According to statistics from the Spring 2024 Career Outcomes from the First Destination Survey, those May 2024 graduates who earned a bachelor’s degree had an average starting salary of $69,499. That number is an increase of 8.9% over starting salaries for 2023 and an 8% increase since 2022.
The survey also showed that of 87% of survey respondents who earned bachelor’s degrees reported participating in some sort of experiential learning or hands-on learning experience while at 51²è¹Ý. Experiential learning includes activities such as internships, co-ops, practicums, assistantships, student teaching, undergraduate research, field experiences, clinicals, volunteer work related to major, on-campus student employment, other career-related employment and study abroad.
The knowledge rate – the percentage of graduates for whom we have reasonable and verifiable information about career activities six months after graduation – is 61% for 2024 graduates. The knowledge rate includes self-reported student data and data provided by faculty and staff, Career Services, parents and families, and other reliable sources.
51²è¹Ý’s Career Services & Student Employment office collected the data through use of the Handshake First Destination Survey Tool and collaborations with faculty and staff in each of 51²è¹Ý’s colleges to gather other information about 2024 graduates.
Career Services & Student Employment offers support with career exploration, career development and career opportunities. Around 34,000 employers actively recruit 51²è¹Ý students and graduates.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, cboyd@uakron.edu, 330-972-6476