University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio · Public · 92.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 48/100 · Below Average Value
University of Toledo scores 48 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. A mid-size public research university in Toledo, Ohio, UToledo enrolls 9,770 undergraduates at $12,744 in-state tuition and $17,249 net price. The 57.0% completion rate and 67.9% repayment rate are the primary weaknesses -- more than 4 in 10 students do not finish, and nearly one-third of borrowers are not paying down debt. Median 6-year earnings of $37,900 and a 13.4-year payback period reflect a program mix where strong engineering outcomes are diluted by large volumes of lower-earning social sciences, arts, and health science programs. Engineering is clearly UToledo's standout: Electrical Engineering (60 graduates, $80,876 year-one, B+ grade), Chemical Engineering (58 graduates, $79,750 year-one, B+ grade), Mechanical Engineering (150 graduates, $77,011 year-one, A grade), and Biomedical Engineering (53 graduates, $69,711 year-one, B+ grade) all post excellent outcomes. Registered Nursing (285 graduates, $70,850 year-one, B+ grade) and Accounting (67 graduates, $52,700 year-one, B grade) anchor the non-engineering top tier. Liberal Arts ($34,428 four-year, F-grade) and Fine Arts ($33,409 four-year, F-grade) represent the lowest outcomes.
University of Toledo
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,744/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $22,104/yr |
| Average net price | $17,249/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $68,996 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,632 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $236 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 57.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 9,770 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Toledo is $12,744/year ($22,104/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $17,249/year, or roughly $68,996 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,524/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,053/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $236 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $50,632 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,524 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,365 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,407 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,659 |
| $110,001+ | $22,053 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from the 0-30000 bracket pay $13,524 per year -- $54,096 over four years. For ME graduates earning $77,011 year-one, the entire four-year investment is recovered in under nine months. Nursing and EE completers see similarly fast paybacks. For lower-earning programs, low-income students at UToledo face the same 13.4-year institutional average. The 57% completion rate is the highest risk for this income bracket.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $16,407 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $19,659 per year. Engineering and nursing students in this bracket recover $65,000-$78,000 four-year investment in under two years from graduation. Business and accounting students take two to three years. Social science and arts programs at this price level produce the poor aggregate ROI that drives UToledo's 48 score.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $22,053 per year -- $88,212 over four years. At this price, engineering and nursing at UToledo are excellent values. Mechanical Engineering's A-grade ROI with $17,900 debt and $90,717 four-year earnings against $88,212 investment yields payback in under two years. Liberal Arts' $34,428 four-year earnings against $88,212 investment is indefensible by the data.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Toledo with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $77,241 | B+ |
| Pharmacy | $63,190 | C |
| Marketing | $67,040 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,516 | C+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,717 | A |
| Finance and Financial Management | $74,304 | B |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $34,428 | F |
| Biology | $48,957 | D |
| Teacher Education | $43,533 | C |
| Psychology | $43,795 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is UToledo's highest-volume and highest-graded engineering program: 150 graduates, $77,011 year-one earnings, $90,717 four-year, $17,900 median debt, 0.232 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade A). An A-grade at $17,249 net annual price is exceptional value. ME graduates enter Toledo's and Detroit's automotive and manufacturing ecosystem. Debt of $17,900 is among the lowest for engineering programs nationally; payback from year-one earnings is under three months.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (60 graduates) earns $80,876 year-one and $95,846 four-year with $21,250 median debt and a 0.263 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B+). EE at UToledo feeds into the automotive electronics, defense, and manufacturing sectors in the Midwest industrial corridor. Year-one earnings of $80,876 against $17,249 annual net price yield one of the fastest paybacks in this dataset -- under three years from graduation.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering (58 graduates) earns $79,750 year-one and $94,065 four-year with $25,750 median debt and a 0.323 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B+). Chemical Engineering at UToledo benefits from the regional petrochemical and manufacturing industry. B+ grade reflects a slightly higher debt load than ME but equally strong earnings -- a competitive outcome at any public university in the Midwest.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (285 graduates) earns $70,850 year-one and $77,241 four-year with $22,400 median debt and a 0.316 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B+). Nursing is UToledo's largest health program and delivers consistent B+ outcomes. The Toledo metro healthcare system is a steady employer, and debt of $22,400 against year-one earnings of $70,850 is a manageable structure for nursing graduates.
Accounting
Accounting (67 graduates) earns $52,700 year-one and $74,103 four-year with $20,973 median debt and a 0.398 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B). B-grade accounting at UToledo's in-state price is solid value. The regional accounting and finance sector in Northwest Ohio and Detroit supports a consistent pipeline. Year-four earnings of $74,103 reflect promotion into senior accounting and CPA-track positions.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 63.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 67.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 51.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 59.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 92.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 550-650 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 550-650 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-29 |
| Enrollment | 9,770 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,195 |
UToledo admits 92% of applicants with SAT 550-650 Math and ACT 23-29. The admissions process is effectively open for most students with average academic preparation. Engineering programs may have higher internal standards. Students should evaluate their specific program pathway: the College of Engineering's outcomes are dramatically different from the College of Arts and Letters in career terms.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UToledo's Scorecard peers include University of Akron, East Texas A&M, Stephen F. Austin, and Central Michigan University. Among Ohio public universities, UToledo (ROI 48) trails Ohio State (ROI ~82), Ohio University (~ROI 55), and Kent State (~ROI 52) on aggregate outcomes. UToledo's engineering programs are competitive with Ohio State's, at a lower price point -- but the institution's aggregate score is heavily diluted by non-engineering programs. For students specifically targeting engineering, UToledo delivers outstanding value; for the institution overall, the below-average ROI reflects what happens when strong STEM programs coexist with large lower-earning program populations.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toledo (this school) | 48 | $17,249 | $50,632 |
| Central Michigan University | 51 | $17,597 | $55,874 |
| East Texas A&M University | 51 | $11,841 | $50,296 |
| University of Akron Wayne College | 48 | $6,032 | $46,600 |
| Stephen F Austin State University | 47 | $14,260 | $49,634 |
| University of Akron Main Campus | 38 | $13,946 | $46,600 |
Who Thrives Here
UToledo enrolls 9,770 undergraduates in Toledo, Ohio. SAT mid-range is 550-650 Math and 550-650 Reading; ACT 23-29. Admission is accessible at 92%. The 27.5% Pell rate reflects a moderate lower-income presence. UToledo's engineering, pharmacy, and health science programs are its strongest draws. The Northwest Ohio and regional Midwest manufacturing economy creates consistent demand for engineering graduates. Students who choose UToledo for non-engineering programs should scrutinize outcomes data carefully -- the 48 ROI score reflects what happens when low-earning programs are enrolled at scale.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for University of Toledo is mixed. At $17,249 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $50,632 ten years after entry - a payback period of 13.4 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $22,250 against $50,632 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.