Civil Engineering at Cedarville University

Cedarville's civil engineering graduates can expect financial outcomes that align closely with typical Ohio programs, though the numbers here come from state medians rather than the school's own track record. Based on comparable programs in Ohio, first-year earnings around $66,000 against an estimated $26,000 in debt suggests a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe roughly five months' salary, which is reasonable for an engineering degree.

The challenge is context: Ohio's stronger engineering programs—Case Western, Cincinnati, Dayton—report actual outcomes in the $71,000-$74,000 range, giving their graduates a $5,000-$8,000 head start. That gap matters when you're paying off loans. Cedarville's 63% admission rate and 1246 average SAT suggest it's less selective than these competitors, which may partially explain why comparable Ohio programs cluster at the state median rather than above it. The 15% Pell population indicates a relatively affluent student body, so the estimated $26,000 debt figure—below the state median of $27,000—may reflect family resources offsetting borrowing.

The practical question: Is Cedarville worth the same or slightly less debt as programs producing better starting salaries? The estimated figures don't reveal whether this school's particular approach—presumably faith-integrated engineering education—translates into outcomes matching its peers or trailing them. Without actual graduate data, you're betting on alignment with state medians rather than documented performance.