Cheapest Chemical Engineering Colleges in Ohio

Ohio University's regional campuses deliver the state's most affordable Chemical Engineering education, with net costs ranging from just $4,503 at the Eastern Campus to $5,971 at Zanesville. These satellite programs share the same academic foundation as the main Athens campus while offering significant savings compared to traditional four-year institutions. Ohio's chemical manufacturing sector, anchored by companies like Procter & Gamble and specialty chemical producers throughout the industrial corridor, creates strong demand for engineering graduates. However, students face a notable trade-off between affordability and outcomes. While Ohio State leads in graduation rates at 87.70% with graduates earning $69,561, the regional campuses show completion rates between 12.10% and 20.00%. The earnings gap also tells a story, with Youngstown State graduates commanding the highest salaries at $75,204 compared to Ohio University main campus graduates at $57,318. Private options like University of Dayton push net costs above $31,000, making the public university system the clear choice for budget-conscious students entering this field.

Programs

$4,503 – $38,909

Net Price Range

$68,150

Avg. Program Earnings

52.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Chemical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, Ohio	$4,503	$6,178	20.0%
2	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, Ohio	$5,328	$6,178	19.3%
3	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, Ohio	$5,971	$6,178	17.7%
4	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, Ohio	$6,133	$6,178	13.7%
5	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, Ohio	$6,483	$6,178	12.1%
6	Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio	$11,877	$10,791	52.9%	80.6%
7	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981	$12,799	48.2%	82.9%
8	Cleveland State University Cleveland, Ohio	$16,065	$12,613	48.9%	85.3%
9	University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio	$17,460	$12,377	55.6%	92.2%
10	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
11	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, Ohio	$20,413	$13,746	66.4%	86.5%
12	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, Ohio	$23,156	$13,570	71.5%	86.2%
13	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, Ohio	$27,662	$17,809	81.8%	87.9%
14	University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio	$31,236	$47,600	81.5%	74.1%
15	Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio	$32,342	$48,125	70.5%	84.5%
16	Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio	$38,909	$64,671	87.0%	27.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ohio University's regional campuses so affordable for Chemical Engineering students?

Ohio University's five regional campuses offer net costs between $4,503 and $6,483, significantly below the main Athens campus at $20,413. These programs maintain the same academic standards while operating in smaller communities with lower overhead costs. Students complete foundational coursework locally before potentially transferring to complete their degree, though graduation rates at these campuses range from just 12.10% to 20.00%.

How do Chemical Engineering salaries compare across Ohio's most affordable programs?

Youngstown State University graduates earn the highest salaries at $75,204, despite having a net cost of only $11,877. University of Toledo follows closely with graduates earning $72,742 from a program costing $17,460 net. The most affordable options like Ohio University regional campuses don't report separate earnings data, but main campus graduates earn $57,318, showing the potential trade-off between upfront savings and long-term earning power.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private Chemical Engineering programs in Ohio?

Public universities dominate Ohio's affordable options, with net costs ranging from $4,503 to $27,662 at Miami University-Oxford. Private institutions like University of Dayton and Xavier University push costs above $31,000, representing a $10,000+ premium over most public alternatives. However, University of Dayton graduates earn $72,274, which helps offset the higher investment over time.

Which affordable Ohio Chemical Engineering programs have the best graduation rates?

Ohio State University leads with an 87.70% graduation rate despite charging $18,292 net, making it a strong value proposition. Miami University-Oxford follows at 81.80% but costs $27,662, while University of Toledo offers a middle ground with 55.60% graduation rates at $17,460 net cost. The most affordable regional campuses show much lower completion rates, with Ohio University-Eastern at just 20.00%.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.