Median Earnings (1yr)
$63,884
14th percentile
40th percentile in Ohio
Median Debt
$27,000
10% above national median

Analysis

Ohio University-Zanesville's Civil Engineering program lands in the middle of Ohio's offerings—at the 40th percentile statewide—but trails most competitive programs by $5,000-$10,000 annually. While first-year earnings of $63,884 lag both the state median ($66,295) and national benchmark ($69,574), the debt load of $27,000 matches the state typical and keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.42. The 10% earnings growth to nearly $70,000 by year four shows graduates gain ground, though they start behind peers at larger engineering schools like Cincinnati or Toledo.

The moderate sample size suggests this is a smaller program, which could mean more individualized attention but potentially fewer industry connections compared to Ohio's major engineering schools. For families prioritizing in-state tuition at a regional campus, this program delivers solid civil engineering credentials without excessive debt. However, students with strong academic profiles might find the $7,000-$10,000 annual earnings premium at schools like Dayton or Cincinnati worth investigating, especially if those schools offer comparable financial aid packages.

This works best for students committed to staying in the region or those who value a smaller campus environment. The debt level won't be crushing, and civil engineers remain in demand across Ohio. Just recognize you're trading some earning potential for the regional campus experience.

Where Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all civil engineering bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Ohio University-Zanesville Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus$63,884$69,964+10%
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus$71,377$80,489+13%
Ohio Northern University$68,129$77,619+14%
University of Dayton$71,411$74,487+4%
Ohio State University-Main Campus$68,031$74,132+9%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Civil Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (18 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Ohio University-Zanesville CampusZanesville$6,178$63,884$69,964$27,0000.42
Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland$64,671$74,266$25,1900.34
University of DaytonDayton$47,600$71,411$74,487$26,5000.37
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati$13,570$71,377$80,489$24,5000.34
University of ToledoToledo$12,377$70,388$67,406$20,5000.29
Ohio Northern UniversityAda$37,800$68,129$77,619$25,9610.38
National Median$69,574$24,5000.35

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with civil engineering graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Petroleum Engineers

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

$141,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Engineers

Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.

$104,170/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

$101,020/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Civil Engineers

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Transportation Engineers

Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water/Wastewater Engineers

Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Engineers, All Other

All engineers not listed separately.

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

Mechatronics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ohio University-Zanesville Campus, approximately 10% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 46 graduates with reported earnings and 48 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.