In addition, the university hosts nursing programs in affiliation with Lorain County Community College.

This led other Akronites to donate, setting the goal and securing Akron as the location for Buchtel College, named after its greatest supporter.

John R. Buchtel continued to be the college's most significant contributor, giving $500,000 over his lifetime, approximately equivalent to $16 million today.

While new campus buildings were being constructed, the Crouse Gymnasium was divided into seven classrooms and served as the college until a new Buchtel Hall was opened in 1901.

Tax money levied for the school and Akron's growing population led to strong growth for the university.

Over the next several decades the university continued to add new buildings to accommodate its growing student population, acquiring more land through purchases and donations.

During the tenure (1999-2014) of its 15th president, Luis M. Proenza, the University of Akron underwent a $627 million construction project, called "A New Landscape for Learning.

The university purchased the Quaker Square Crowne Plaza Hotel and shopping complex and uses it as a residence hall space.

Subsequently, in May 2016, Moody's Investors Service, downrated the university's bonds from stable to negative, because of low enrollment and high debts and pension burdens.

[18] Moody's upgraded the university's outlook to stable in 2018, citing improved enrollment, rising donations and steps to reduce expenses.

[21] On October 1, 2019, Gary Miller became Akron's 18th president; formerly the chancellor of University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, he was given a five-year contract with a base salary of $475,000, with an annual $25,000 in a deferred compensation plan, monthly stipends of $3,500 and $750 for housing and a car, and $36,000 for moving expenses.

[22] In May 2020, president Miller announced that the university will consolidate its eleven academic colleges into five due to budget issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic;[23] the cut is meant to reduce administrative costs, and "the plan does not cut or change any degree program offerings.

[25] The Chronicle of Higher Education reported in August 2022 that thirty-six of the professors who had been fired were hired back by the university, but as adjuncts, with a similar workload and lower pay--in one case, at $18,000 a year, one-third of their former salary.

[20] In 2021, the Board of Trustees extended President Miller's contract, praising him for "consistent and decisive leadership".

[citation needed] The University of Akron offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees, ranging from certificate to doctoral programs.

[41] Admission to the University of Akron is classified as "inclusive" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Built in 1991, the center comprises two 12-story and nine-story towers connected by glass-enclosed walkways that serve as areas for informal interaction.

It contains eight large polymer synthesis groups, computer simulation and modeling capabilities, a microscopy suite, molecular and morphological characterization labs, surface analysis facilities, and thermal analysis and mechanical properties testing equipment.

It contains the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, the Paul J. Flory Reading Room, the International Rubber Science Hall of Fame portrait gallery, Applied Polymer Research Center, and the 213-seat Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Auditorium.

[49] The Ohio Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, founded in 1875, is the oldest continuous Greek-letter organization on campus.

[58] In 2010, the team reached the MAC Tournament Championship game for the fourth straight year, but lost in overtime.