The University of Akron
The University of Akron is a public research university in Akron, Ohio, serving approximately 15,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It ranks #1 globally for polymer science and plastics engineering, with contract research and workforce training capabilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1870
- HeadquartersAkron, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The University of Akron does
The University of Akron is a public research university established in 1870 in Akron, Ohio, operating under the State of Ohio's public university system and serving approximately 15,000 students. The institution is supported by 1,001-5,000 employees and operates a main campus in Akron plus the Wayne College regional campus in Wooster. It is governed by the Ohio state legislature and a Board of Trustees, with administrative leadership including a President and CFO.
The university's revenue model is diversified across three primary streams: tuition and fees (with 94% of undergraduates receiving some form of financial aid), research grants and contracts from federal and nonprofit funders including the National Science Foundation, American Heart Association, and U.S. Department of Energy, and private donations channeled through the Rise Together fundraising campaign. Distribution occurs through direct admissions at the main campus, the Wayne College regional campus, and online degree and certificate programs, while go-to-market relies on digital channels (website, social media across six major platforms), campus visits, and K-12 pipeline partnerships.
The institution's core technology differentiator is the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, ranked #1 globally for polymer science and plastics engineering by EduRank, supported by 25+ polymer-focused research labs and a faculty patent portfolio of 300+ issued or pending patents. The School operates the National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC), which provides contract polymer characterization and advanced manufacturing services to industry, and Akron Polymer Training Services, which delivers workforce training. Supporting student services include Student Health Services and the Counseling & Testing Center, with the Brightspace LMS augmented by YuJa Panorama for digital accessibility compliance. Strategic partnerships with Goodyear, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron Public Schools, and the REMADE Institute anchor the institution's applied-research and workforce ecosystem.
The University of Akron firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The University of Akron
- Legal name
- The University of Akron
- Website
- https://uakron.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1870
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The University of Akron is a public research university in Akron, Ohio, serving approximately 15,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It ranks #1 globally for polymer science and plastics engineering, with contract research and workforce training capabilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The University of Akron industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)
Keywords
Where The University of Akron is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Akron
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
The University of Akron business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with 94% of undergraduates receiving some form of financial aid.
- Research Grants and Contracts: Funding from federal agencies (NSF, American Heart Association) and state programs supporting research initiatives.
- Private Donations and Alumni Giving: Rise Together campaign for fundraising and alumni contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate education with financial aid support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
The University of Akron product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Akron is a public research university delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across multiple colleges and schools, with particular strength in polymer science, engineering, and health sciences. The institution provides student support services such as the Counseling & Testing Center, Student Health Services, and academic retention programs, and serves around 15,000 students through its main Akron campus, Wayne College regional campus, and online degree offerings.
Product overview
The University of Akron offers a portfolio of academic programs and institutional services centered around higher education. The institution operates as a comprehensive public university with specialized schools including the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, which includes the National Polymer Innovation Center (contract research services) and Akron Polymer Training Services (workforce training). Supporting student success, the university provides Student Health Services and the Counseling & Testing Center. The institution utilizes Brightspace as its learning management system with YuJa Panorama for digital accessibility compliance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering A leading academic school offering undergraduate and graduate programs in polymer science and polymer engineering, ranked number one in the world for polymer science and plastics engineering by EduRank. Targets prospective and graduate students seeking degrees and research opportunities in polymers.
- National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC) A contract services facility providing advanced polymer characterization and advanced manufacturing services to industry partners. Targets firms needing specialized polymer R&D services.
- Akron Polymer Training Services (APTS) Workforce training solutions leveraging the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering's knowledge base and capabilities to train industry employees in polymer-related skills.
- Counseling & Testing Center On-campus counseling services offering individual and group therapy, teletherapy, crisis support, and psychological testing for enrolled students.
- Student Health Services On-campus health clinic providing acute care, well women's services, immunizations, and referrals for enrolled students and UA faculty/staff.
- Wayne College Regional campus of The University of Akron serving Wayne County with accessible higher education programs through the Boyer HPE Building.
Quantifiable outcome
- 94% of undergraduates receive financial aid
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The University of Akron
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The University of Akron technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The University of Akron partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Akron Public SchoolscoreLong-running partnership expanded with Akron Public Schools naming The University of Akron as sister university to North High School, strengthening the pipeline between K-12 and higher education.
- Akron Children's HospitalcorePartnership to accelerate pediatric nurse practitioner workforce through collaborative education and training programs.
- GoodyearcoreIndustry partnership for engineering programs allowing students hands-on experience and real-world insight in the polymer and engineering fields.
- Cleveland BrownsminorInternship opportunities for University of Akron students mentioned on website.
- REMADE InstituteminorManaging the NYS Waste Tire Program that provides state funding for technology research projects involving academic institutions.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The University of Akron competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Youngstown State University: Ohio regional public university of similar size and mission, serving similar student populations in a former manufacturing region of Ohio with comparable public funding dynamics and enrollment challenges.
- Cleveland State University: Ohio public urban research university in the same Northeast Ohio region with comparable enrollment size, public funding model, and mission of serving regional workforce and industry needs.
- University of Massachusetts Lowell: Public research university with comparable strength in plastics and polymer engineering, sharing a similar industry-partnered research model and similar mid-sized public research identity in a former manufacturing region.
- University of Toledo: Ohio public research university of similar scale serving a similar regional/state mission, competing for the same state appropriations, in-state enrollment, and federal research funding.
- Kent State University: Another Ohio public research university in Northeast Ohio of similar size and mission, serving comparable student segments and competing for the same regional enrollment pool and state appropriations.
- Ohio University: Ohio public research university of similar scale with regional campus model and similar state appropriations dynamics, competing for in-state enrollment and research funding across the state.
- Bowling Green State University: Ohio regional public university of similar size and structure, sharing the state funding model and competing for the same regional Ohio student population and workforce training contracts.
Regional players
- Case Western Reserve University: Private research university in the same Cleveland/Akron region, more research-intensive and better funded, but competing for overlapping students, faculty, and research grants in the Northeast Ohio market.
Broad incumbents
- Georgia Institute of Technology: Larger public technical university with strong polymer and materials science research, representing an aspirational peer for engineering and polymer specialty programs at the national level and competing for top research talent and federal grants.
- Penn State University: Large public research university with a polymer science program of note, representing a benchmark for what a successful large-scale public research institution with materials science focus and multiple campuses can achieve.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The University of Akron social profiles
Digital presenceThe University of Akron financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The University of Akron leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
The University of Akron subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
The University of Akron funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The University of Akron M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The University of Akron
What does The University of Akron do?
The University of Akron is a public research university delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across multiple colleges and schools, with particular strength in polymer science, engineering, and health sciences. The institution provides student support services such as the Counseling & Testing Center, Student Health Services, and academic retention programs, and serves around 15,000 students through its main Akron campus, Wayne College regional campus, and online degree offerings.
Is The University of Akron a public or private company?
The University of Akron is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was The University of Akron founded?
The University of Akron was founded in 1870. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is The University of Akron based?
The University of Akron is headquartered in Akron, United States, in the North America region.
How does The University of Akron make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Contracts and private Donations and Alumni Giving.
Who are The University of Akron's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Youngstown State University, Cleveland State University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Toledo, Kent State University, Ohio University and Bowling Green State University. Case Western Reserve University is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Georgia Institute of Technology and Penn State University.
Does The University of Akron have an API?
No public API is recorded for The University of Akron.
What industry is The University of Akron in?
The University of Akron's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAL, Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8731.