Chemical Engineering at Youngstown State University

Youngstown State's chemical engineering program produces graduates who earn $69,609 in their first year—right at Ohio's median but below the $73,000 national benchmark for this major. What's more interesting is the trajectory: earnings jump 19% to nearly $83,000 by year four, catching up to programs at Cincinnati and Toledo. For a school charging just $26,545 in median debt (less than the typical Case Western or Cincinnati graduate), that's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38—manageable for an engineering degree.

The concern here is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. That 60th percentile ranking among Ohio chemical engineering programs sounds solid, but it's based on limited data. If you're comparing this to Ohio State or Case Western, those programs have more established track records and slightly higher starting salaries, though they also come with steeper costs for most students.

For families looking at an affordable path into chemical engineering, Youngstown State keeps debt low while delivering earnings growth that rivals pricier Ohio programs. Just recognize you're banking on a smaller program where outcomes can vary more than at larger schools. The four-year earnings suggest employers value these graduates once they're established, which matters more than first-year placement.