2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Ohio
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Lorain County Community College, our #1 best value for engineering in Ohio. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,192 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #3 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Zane State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Zane State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,405. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $35,764. That is a strong return on a $9,405 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $70,753. Set against $23,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,361 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $65,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for engineering value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,624 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $80,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Wright State University Lake Campus placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Set in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,372, compared with $17,072 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Wright State University Lake Campus earn a median of $66,331 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Toledo placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,407 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,195. Set against $22,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $28,156. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $71,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $74,631. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Otterbein University placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $63,243 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,951. Early-career engineering graduates make about $81,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Marietta College placed #14 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,652. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $82,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #15 for value in engineering this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $29,000. Engineering graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $56,274 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #16 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,029. Engineering graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Mount Union placed #17 among the best values for engineering. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $71,097. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Engineering graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $67,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cedarville University placed #19 among the best values for engineering. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,122. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Northern University came in at #20 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,600. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,989 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $68,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #21 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,815. Early-career engineering graduates make about $77,394. That is a strong return on a $23,815 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,763. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $72,644. That is a strong return on a $24,763 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Dayton ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,009 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $76,211. That is a strong return on a $26,009 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Case Western Reserve University landed the #24 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $24,598 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $80,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
