Computer Engineering at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
University of Cincinnati's Computer Engineering graduates start at $83,489—nearly $14,000 above the state median and ranking among Ohio's top three programs alongside Ohio State. At 60th percentile statewide, this places UC firmly in the upper tier of in-state options, which matters considerably given that Ohio families choosing between public universities can achieve similar outcomes at UC as at the flagship while potentially saving on other costs. The program also performs well nationally, landing at the 73rd percentile with earnings just shy of the national 75th percentile mark.
The debt picture reinforces this value. Graduates leave with $21,875 in loans—about $3,700 less than typical Ohio engineering students and below both state and national medians. The 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly three months of salary, an easily manageable burden for an engineering career. Combined with UC's 88% admission rate, this program offers strong accessibility without sacrificing outcomes.
For Ohio families, this represents a straightforward value proposition: strong engineering outcomes at a reasonable debt load from an accessible public university. The fact that UC matches or exceeds more selective in-state alternatives on earnings while keeping debt below state averages should make this an easy program to justify financially.
Where University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates earn $83k, placing them in the 73th percentile of all computer engineering bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Computer Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (23 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | $83,489 | — | $21,875 | 0.26 |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus | $83,342 | $94,224 | $20,247 | 0.24 |
| Miami University-Oxford | $71,836 | $89,462 | $27,000 | 0.38 |
| Wright State University-Main Campus | $70,345 | $76,266 | $25,000 | 0.36 |
| University of Akron Main Campus | $69,070 | $79,209 | $23,320 | 0.34 |
| Cleveland State University | $68,852 | $77,292 | $25,547 | 0.37 |
| National Median | $78,952 | — | $24,500 | 0.31 |
Other Computer Engineering Programs in Ohio
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Ohio schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus | $12,859 | $83,342 | $20,247 |
| Miami University-Oxford Oxford | $17,809 | $71,836 | $27,000 |
| Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton | $11,188 | $70,345 | $25,000 |
| University of Akron Main Campus Akron | $12,799 | $69,070 | $23,320 |
| Cleveland State University Cleveland | $12,613 | $68,852 | $25,547 |
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 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, approximately 18% 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 58 graduates with reported earnings and 58 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.