If you’re excited about the field of automotive engineering, you can start your journey at one of 16 schools in Ohio. Nine schools offer Associate’s degrees, seven schools have Bachelor’s degree programs, and four schools award Master’s degrees in this field. The average cost of tuition in Ohio is $6,300 per year.
There are several degrees that you can pursue as a new engineering student. However, you must earn at least a Bachelor’s degree to be considered for most job postings in the field of automotive engineering. Over your four years in school, you’ll earn 120 or more credits while taking classes like Fuel Management Systems, Vehicle Diagnostics, and Automotive Electronics. Most of these courses include a lab portion in which you work with engineering materials, vehicles, and vehicle components.
If you want to work in the research sector, you will likely need to continue your education with a Master’s degree. This degree is made up of 30 credits, which you complete over the course of two years. Required courses at this level include Power Electronics, Automotive Body Structures, and Hybrid Electric Vehicles.
Since Ohio has so many engineering schools, there is quite a range of tuition rates. On the low end of the price range, you have Columbus State Community College. Tuition is $132.60 per credit for residents and $293.69 per credit hour for non-residents. Chancellor University may be one of the most expensive schools in the state, but it is generally very affordable. Tuition is $4,620 per semester for residents and non-residents.
Local and national scholarships can help reduce the amount of student debt you take on. The Ohio Society of Professional Engineers awards scholarships in conjunction with many different Ohio engineering schools.
As you prepare to begin your engineering career, there are several things you have to do. First, apply for your license from the State of Ohio Engineers and Surveyors Board. You may also want to join the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers. Membership may allow you to attend educational seminars, go to networking events, and peruse an exclusive job board.
Salaries for automotive engineers vary in Ohio. O*Net reports that the average salary for an automotive engineer in Ohio is $71,100 per year.