Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Ohio Northern University

Based on peer programs across Ohio, an electrical engineering degree from Ohio Northern appears to deliver solid but not exceptional returns. Similar programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $69,600—a respectable figure that puts graduates in decent financial shape with an estimated debt load of $26,000. That 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio means roughly four months of gross income to cover what you borrowed, which is manageable territory for engineering.

The challenge is competitive positioning. Ohio's engineering landscape includes heavy hitters: Case Western, Toledo, and Cincinnati all report first-year earnings in the $80,000+ range for their graduates. That $10,000-15,000 gap matters when you're weighing schools, especially since Ohio Northern's estimated debt is comparable to what students carry elsewhere in the state. The school's 73% admission rate and modest Pell grant enrollment (19%) suggest it's accessible, but you're not necessarily getting a bargain on outcomes.

For parents, the key question is whether Ohio Northern's smaller setting and hands-on approach justify choosing it over larger state programs with stronger earning track records. The financial fundamentals work—engineering pays, and the debt here isn't crushing—but your child would likely need other compelling reasons (fit, location, specific faculty) to pick this over higher-earning alternatives within driving distance. The numbers suggest it's a viable path, just not the most lucrative one Ohio offers.