Computer Engineering at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green's Computer Engineering program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: the $67,949 starting salary trails the national median by $11,000, yet the debt load of $27,000 exceeds what most engineering programs saddle students with. While the program ranks in the 40th percentile among Ohio schools—meaning it's slightly below the state median of $69,708—it falls to just the 16th percentile nationally, suggesting Ohio itself underperforms in computer engineering compared to coastal tech hubs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 is manageable, and graduates see steady 10% earnings growth to nearly $75,000 by year four. However, when nearby programs like Cincinnati and Ohio State consistently produce graduates earning $83,000+ right out of the gate, the $15,000 gap represents real money over a career. For an Ohio family, this program offers an accessible path into engineering at a school with an 81% admission rate, but you're essentially trading selectivity and earnings potential for admission certainty.

The verdict: This works if your child needs a less competitive engineering option and plans to stay in Ohio, where the salary gap narrows somewhat. But if they can gain admission to Cincinnati, Ohio State, or even Wright State, those programs deliver substantially better returns for similar or even lower debt.