Head-to-head · 2026
North Central State College vs University of Akron Wayne College
Compare average net price ($4,687 at North Central State College; $6,032 at University of Akron Wayne College), ROI score (20.35 vs 19.31), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,158 vs $46,600), and admissions context (Open / not reported at North Central State College; 89.9% at University of Akron Wayne College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | North Central State College | University of Akron Wayne College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 20.35 ✓ | 19.31 |
| Avg net price | $4,687 ✓ | $6,032 |
| 4-year avg net price | $18,748 ✓ | $24,128 |
| In-state tuition | $4,624 | $7,723 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,103 | $15,403 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,158 | $46,600 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 89.9% |
| Graduation rate | 36.1% ✓ | 18.5% |
| Retention rate | 71.4% ✓ | 58.5% |
| Median debt | $8,252 ✓ | $23,250 |
| Enrollment | 1,273 | 457 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1040 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | North Central State College | University of Akron Wayne College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,344 ✓ | $3,982 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,087 ✓ | $4,100 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,076 ✓ | $6,663 |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,753 ✓ | $11,082 |
| Family income $110k+ | $7,248 ✓ | $12,160 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
North Central State College reports the lower average net price by $1,345 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,380 difference over four years ($18,748 vs $24,128).
University of Akron Wayne College reports $8,442 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,600 vs $38,158). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.4% at North Central State College and 58.5% at University of Akron Wayne College. Median federal debt among completers is $8,252 vs $23,250, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
North Central State College vs University of Akron Wayne College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
North Central State College is cheaper — average net price $4,687 per year vs $6,032 at University of Akron Wayne College. The annual difference of $1,345 adds up to about $5,380 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Akron Wayne College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,600 vs $38,158 at North Central State College. The gap in the federal data is $8,442. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.