Compare 10 Civil Engineering. programs in Ohio. Average earnings: $70,857.
The highest-earning Civil Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $19K earnings gap across 10 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's Civil Engineering program leads with graduates earning $80,489, well above the state average of $70,857. Ohio Northern University follows at $77,619, while University of Dayton rounds out the top three at $74,487—demonstrating that strong engineering outcomes aren't limited to flagship institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Cincinnati graduates borrow $21,250 and face just a 5.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, proving top programs can also be affordable.
Highest program earnings: $80,489
Strong outcomes with 88% acceptance
5.0% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
11.5% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $80,489 | 43 | $21,250 | Excellent | $23,602 | Good | |
| #2 | Ohio Northern UniversityPrivate | $77,619 | 24 | $27,000 | Excellent | $32,246 | Manageable |
| #3 | University Of DaytonPrivate | $74,487 | 43 | $23,250 | Excellent | $43,810 | Challenging |
| #4 | $74,132 | 143 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $71,191 | 52 | $23,250 | Excellent | $22,000 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $69,964 | 32 | $21,056 | Excellent | $23,508 | Manageable | |
| #7 | University Of ToledoPublic | $67,406 | 43 | $22,250 | Excellent | $19,243 | Manageable |
| #8 | $65,927 | 38 | $21,797 | Excellent | $16,998 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $65,539 | 22 | $24,000 | Excellent | $16,900 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $61,814 | 26 | $24,000 | Good | $31,458 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
