Analysis
Based on comparable engineering programs nationwide, this bachelor's degree would start at roughly $73,000—slightly below Ohio's $79,000 median for the field. That's not a concerning gap, especially given this is a regional campus that may serve students needing to stay close to home. However, the state benchmark comes from just one school with reported data (Ohio State's main campus), which makes it harder to know where this program actually stands in the Ohio market.
The estimated debt of about $23,000 sits right at national norms for engineering degrees, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31. That's manageable territory: graduates would need roughly one-third of their first year's salary to pay off loans, well within reasonable bounds for a STEM credential. Engineering degrees typically justify their cost through steady career progression, and even at the lower end of the salary range, the financial foundation appears solid.
The core question is whether a regional campus can deliver comparable outcomes to larger programs. With just 10% of students receiving Pell grants—substantially below typical rates—this appears to serve a narrower demographic. If your child needs the flexibility or location of Zanesville, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. But if they can access a program with reported outcomes at a comparable campus like Ohio State, you'd have more certainty about what you're actually buying.
Where Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (10 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,178 | $72,877* | — | $22,875* | — | |
| $12,859 | $78,734* | $92,338 | $22,000* | 0.28 | |
| National Median | — | $72,876* | — | $22,694* | 0.31 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
Photonics Engineers
Robotics Engineers
Nanosystems Engineers
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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 16 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.