Civil Engineering at University of Dayton

University of Dayton's civil engineering program positions graduates solidly in the middle of Ohio's competitive engineering landscape, with first-year earnings of $71,411 placing it second among state programs—ahead of Ohio State and just behind UC's flagship program. That 60th percentile ranking within Ohio matters more than the national comparison here, since most UD graduates will likely pursue careers in the Midwest where these salary levels reflect regional market rates. The $26,500 median debt sits right at the state average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 that's well within the manageable range for engineering graduates.

The 4% earnings growth to $74,487 by year four is modest but typical for civil engineering, where starting salaries are often close to mid-career levels due to structured pay scales in construction and infrastructure sectors. Unlike software engineering or finance, civil engineering compensation tends to be steady rather than explosive. What matters is that UD graduates start strong enough to comfortably manage their debt—with first-year earnings more than $5,000 above Ohio's median for the field.

For families considering UD's $40,000+ annual price tag, this program delivers solid returns. The combination of above-state-average starting salaries and below-national-average debt loads creates genuine value, particularly when you consider UD's strong regional employer connections in Ohio's engineering and construction sectors. Students leave with both manageable financial obligations and competitive positioning in the state's job market.