Analysis
An estimated first-year salary of $67,911 places this program right at the national median for engineering bachelor's degrees—a solid starting point, though not exceptional given Denison's highly selective admissions profile (17% acceptance rate, 1395 average SAT). With estimated debt of $26,459, graduates would be looking at manageable loan payments relative to their earning potential, suggesting a debt-to-earnings ratio that shouldn't cause financial strain in those crucial early career years.
What complicates the picture here is that we're working with estimates drawn from peer programs nationally, not actual outcomes from Denison's engineering graduates. The suppressed data likely reflects a small program size at what is primarily a liberal arts college. Ohio has 16 schools offering engineering degrees, many of them large research universities with established programs and extensive industry connections. Denison's intimate setting may offer advantages in mentoring and undergraduate research opportunities, but you'd want to investigate whether employers in engineering fields recruit actively from a smaller liberal arts program versus the state's engineering powerhouses.
The debt estimate appears reasonable for a private institution, and the earnings benchmark suggests engineering graduates generally find decent-paying work regardless of where they earn their degree. For a student passionate about engineering but also drawn to Denison's liberal arts environment, this could work—but confirm the program's career placement record and employer relationships before committing.
Where Denison University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Engineering bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $64,000 | $67,911* | — | $26,459* | — | |
| $64,458 | $109,455* | $114,228 | $14,512* | 0.13 | |
| $66,255 | $92,491* | $103,969 | $22,240* | 0.24 | |
| $68,230 | $86,416* | $87,937 | $14,500* | 0.17 | |
| $15,247 | $82,956* | $104,701 | $15,000* | 0.18 | |
| $41,010 | $78,211* | — | $27,000* | 0.35 | |
| National Median | — | $67,911* | — | $26,056* | 0.38 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
Photonics Engineers
Robotics Engineers
Nanosystems Engineers
Wind Energy Engineers
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Denison University, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 47 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.