Mechanical Engineering at University of Dayton

University of Dayton's mechanical engineering graduates earn slightly above both state and national medians—$71,911 in their first year versus $69,161 statewide and $70,744 nationally. This places the program in the 60th percentile among Ohio's 23 mechanical engineering programs, a respectable middle-of-the-pack position. While it trails powerhouses like Ohio State ($79,359) and Toledo ($77,011), the gap isn't enormous, and the debt load of $24,250 is actually lighter than both state and national averages.

The real strength here is the combination of reasonable debt and solid earning trajectory. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, graduates can comfortably manage their loans while earning competitive engineering salaries. The 16% earnings growth to $83,262 by year four follows a healthy upward curve, and the robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these numbers reflect consistent outcomes rather than outliers.

For an anxious parent, this is a safe bet: your child will graduate with manageable debt, earn a respectable engineering salary from day one, and see meaningful wage growth within their first few years. It's not the absolute top performer in Ohio, but it delivers reliable value without the stress of outsized debt that plagues many programs.