Civil Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's civil engineering program sits just below the national median for earnings, but that obscures an important advantage: it outperforms most in-state alternatives while leaving graduates with below-average debt. Starting at $68,031 and reaching $74,132 by year four, graduates earn slightly less than the national median but about $2,000 more than the typical Ohio civil engineering grad. Among Ohio's 18 programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—solidly middle-tier in a competitive state market.

The debt picture strengthens the value case. At $23,545, graduates owe roughly $3,500 less than the Ohio average and slightly less than the national benchmark. That translates to a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning debt represents just over one-third of first-year income. Combined with steady 9% earnings growth, the financial trajectory looks sustainable rather than spectacular.

For Ohio families, the calculation is straightforward: your child will earn competitive wages for the region while avoiding the heavier debt loads common at schools like Cincinnati or Toledo. Case Western and Dayton offer higher earnings, but OSU's combination of solid outcomes, reasonable debt, and flagship university resources makes it a sound choice—particularly for students prioritizing financial stability over maximizing starting salary. This is the kind of program where you get what you'd expect, without unpleasant surprises.