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

Ohio University-Southern's graduates start at $64,226—below both the national median ($77,710) and Ohio's state median ($69,626)—but the trajectory tells a more interesting story. By year four, earnings jump to $89,197, a 39% increase that pushes graduates well above both benchmarks. This is a program where patience pays off. While it ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally at graduation, that 40th percentile ranking within Ohio suggests the regional market values these degrees, and the strong earnings growth indicates graduates are securing positions with real advancement potential.

The $24,978 in debt sits right at the state median and translates to a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable even with those lower starting salaries. The catch is that first year: graduates need to weather below-average entry wages while their peers from Case Western or Cincinnati start $15,000-$20,000 higher. For students who can absorb that initial earnings gap or who have family support during those early years, this program offers a genuine path to strong mid-career earnings in engineering.

The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty, but the four-year earnings data suggests graduates are finding roles with actual engineering responsibilities rather than stalling in technician positions. This works best for students prioritizing regional employment in Ohio and willing to accept slower initial returns.