2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Ohio
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Youngstown State University the best value for a degree in civil engineering in Ohio. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $59,149. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $66,820. That is a strong return on a $21,701 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Toledo earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $70,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #4 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for civil engineering. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #5. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $66,295. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $75,065 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Cedarville University landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,110. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Northern University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,600. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,961. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Ohio Northern University generally make around $68,129. That is a strong return on a $25,961 median debt. Ohio Northern University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $71,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Dayton placed #10 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $71,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #11 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,190. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
More Civil Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
