Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Youngstown State University

Youngstown State's electrical engineering program outperforms the Ohio median by nearly $10,000, placing graduates in the 60th percentile statewide—a solid showing for a university with an 80% admission rate. First-year earnings of $74,799 trail the national median by about $3,000, but that gap matters less when you're paying $25,000 in debt instead of significantly more at selective programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, graduates owe roughly four months of their starting salary, leaving them financially flexible early in their careers.

The 6% earnings growth to nearly $80,000 by year four puts these graduates within striking distance of programs at Ohio State and Dayton, which often command higher tuition. For Ohio families prioritizing value, Youngstown State delivers engineering credentials that translate to legitimate career opportunities without the debt burden common at flagship universities. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes rather than outlier success stories.

This is a practical choice for students capable of handling rigorous engineering coursework but who may not have the profile for Case Western or similar programs. You're getting real engineering career outcomes at a regional public university price point—exactly the kind of program that builds Ohio's technical workforce without breaking family budgets.