Construction Engineering Technologies at Youngstown State University

The actual earnings picture for construction engineering technology programs in Ohio is notably stronger than what national peer programs suggest for Youngstown State. While this program's estimated $56,000 first-year earnings comes from comparable programs nationwide, Ohio's median for this degree is $67,439—over $11,000 higher. The University of Akron, Ohio's only other school with reported data for this program, hits that same $67,439 mark, suggesting local industry demand for these graduates may be robust. If Youngstown State's outcomes track closer to Ohio norms than national ones, that would significantly strengthen the value proposition here.

The estimated debt load of $12,563 appears manageable regardless, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 even using the more conservative national earnings estimate. Ohio programs typically carry roughly twice that debt burden (median of $24,709), so if Youngstown State can deliver lower borrowing costs while placing graduates into Ohio's stronger construction technology job market, that's a meaningful advantage. Construction trades typically reward hands-on credentials quickly, and associate degree holders often enter the workforce without the opportunity cost of two additional years in a bachelor's program.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways: similar programs suggest reasonable outcomes, but Ohio-specific data hints at considerably better potential. Parents should verify whether Youngstown State's graduates actually access Ohio's higher-paying construction market or if local economic conditions in the Youngstown area produce different results than Akron's.