Industrial Engineering at Ohio University-Eastern Campus

With a starting salary of $70,199 and just $27,000 in debt, Ohio University-Eastern delivers practical value for industrial engineering students. That 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can reasonably pay off their loans in roughly five months of gross income—a manageable burden that positions them well financially right out of college. The $74,580 four-year salary shows steady, if unspectacular, income progression.

Here's the nuance: While these numbers place the program in just the 25th percentile nationally (about $4,500 below the national median), it actually sits at the 60th percentile among Ohio's nine industrial engineering programs. That state-level performance matters because Ohio is a manufacturing hub where industrial engineers find ready employment. The program effectively matches the state median for both earnings and debt, and it costs considerably less than attending Ohio State while delivering similar outcomes to other regional Ohio University campuses.

The critical caveat is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means next year's cohort could see different results. But the core value proposition holds: reasonable debt, solid starting pay in a state with strong manufacturing demand, and four-year earnings that suggest stable career prospects. For Ohio families prioritizing affordable engineering education with local job opportunities, this program delivers without the premium price tag.