2026 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 University Of Akron Main Campus the best value for a degree in civil engineering in Ohio. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,701. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for civil engineering. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $59,149 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $29,750. Civil Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $66,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Toledo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,500. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,545. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $68,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for civil engineering value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $75,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #7 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $71,377. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University landed the #8 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Ohio Northern University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. 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. 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. Set against $25,961 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio Northern University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Dayton came in at #10 for value in civil engineering this year. 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. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,500. 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.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[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.
