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Cheapest Engineering Colleges in Ohio

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Ohio University's regional campuses offer the state's most affordable engineering paths, with net costs starting at just $4,503 at the Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville. These satellite locations serve students across southeastern Ohio with identical degree programs at dramatically reduced prices compared to main campuses. The cost spread across Ohio's 16 engineering programs reaches $33,608, creating stark choices between affordability and traditional campus experiences. Ohio's manufacturing backbone, anchored by companies like Honda and major aerospace suppliers, provides strong placement opportunities for engineering graduates. The state's public university system dominates the affordable options, with seven of the eight cheapest programs housed within Ohio University's network of regional campuses.
16
Programs
$4,503 – $38,909
Net Price Range
$64,493
Avg. Program Earnings
51.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Engineering, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
2 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
3 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
4 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
5 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
6 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
7 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
8 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
9 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
10 $20,204 $31,440 52.7% 86.4%
11 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
12 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
13 $27,654 $37,938 68.6% 77.0%
14 $27,662 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
15 $38,111 $64,000 80.1% 22.0%
16 $38,909 $64,671 87.0% 27.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Ohio University's five regional campuses offer identical engineering coursework at net costs between $4,503 and $6,483, compared to $20,413 at the main Athens campus. These locations operate with lower overhead costs while maintaining the same academic standards and degree credentials. Students complete foundational engineering courses locally before potentially transferring to complete specialized upper-level requirements at main campuses.

How do graduation rates compare between affordable and expensive engineering programs in Ohio?

Ohio's regional campuses show graduation rates between 12.1% and 20%, while pricier options like Ohio State achieve 87.7% graduation rates. Youngstown State bridges this gap effectively with a 52.9% graduation rate at an $11,877 net cost. The University of Cincinnati combines strong outcomes with moderate pricing, posting a 71.5% graduation rate at $23,156 annually.

Does choosing a cheaper Ohio engineering program limit career prospects?

Ohio's manufacturing and healthcare sectors actively recruit from state programs regardless of campus prestige. Companies like Honda, Cleveland Clinic, and Procter & Gamble maintain partnerships across the state university system. The University of Cincinnati reports $64,493 median earnings for engineering graduates, demonstrating that career outcomes depend more on individual performance than institutional cost.

Where should students focus their applications for maximum affordability?

Students should prioritize Ohio University's regional campuses for the lowest costs, with the Eastern Campus offering the best value at $4,503 net price. Youngstown State provides the strongest balance of affordability and graduation rates at $11,877 with 52.9% completion. Wright State offers another solid middle option with 95.22% acceptance rates and $15,216 annual costs.

More Engineering, General Rankings

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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.