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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Ohio

12 Colleges in the United States
$24,887 Avg Student Debt
$59,873 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Badge [General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general civil engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Akron Main Campus, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in Ohio. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,701. Soon after graduation, general 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. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $59,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

3

University Of Toledo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $70,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,545. General Civil Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,031 early in their careers. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $66,295. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General 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. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $71,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

8
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University placed #8 among the best values for general civil engineering. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,110. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $57,104. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

9

Ohio Northern University came in at #9 for value in general civil engineering this year. Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ada. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,600. Students borrow a median of $25,961 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $68,129. That is a strong return on a $25,961 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Dayton placed #10 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $71,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.

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11

Case Western Reserve University placed #11 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $25,190. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $74,266. That is a strong return on a $25,190 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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