Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

Ohio University-Lancaster's electrical engineering program starts graduates $13,000 below the national median but demonstrates remarkable momentum, with earnings jumping 39% to nearly $90,000 by year four. While first-year earnings rank just 5th percentile nationally, the program hits the 40th percentile among Ohio's 20 electrical engineering programs—roughly middle-of-the-pack for the state. The debt load of $25,000 is perfectly in line with both state and national norms, creating a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio that most families can handle.

The real question is why graduates start so far behind peers at nearby Ohio State ($79,000) or Cincinnati ($80,000). That $15,000 gap matters during those critical early career years, even though it narrows significantly by year four. For families prioritizing lower tuition at a regional campus, this program delivers solid engineering credentials and strong upward trajectory. But students with options should recognize they'll likely spend their first few years catching up to peers from more established programs.

If your student is committed to staying local or needs the affordability of a branch campus, this program works—the debt is reasonable and earnings growth is legitimate. Just know that the slower start is a real tradeoff, not just a statistical quirk.