Published:Jun 3, 2025

Top Master of Engineering Management Programs in Ohio

Key Takeaways

Ohio offers high-quality, affordable MEM programs suitable for working professionals.
The career outlook looks promising in aerospace, manufacturing, and R&D fields.
Online and hybrid programs offer flexibility while still delivering a rigorous learning experience.
Salaries and ROI are strong, especially considering Ohio’s lower cost of living.
Graduates are prepared for leadership roles with technical, financial, and management skills.

According to the American Society for Engineering Management, engineering management is “the art and science of planning, organizing, allocating resources, and directing and controlling activities that have a technological or systems component.”¹As an engineering manager, you will be responsible for leading teams and navigating complex technical challenges—skills that a master’s degree in engineering management, whether based in Ohio or offered online, can help you develop.

Studying at an Ohio university, even through a more affordable and flexible online format, has distinct advantages. The state's Innovation Hub program and other statewide initiatives are positioning Ohio as a growing center for advanced manufacturing, biomedical engineering, aerospace, and smart mobility technologies—all of which demand engineering managers with strong leadership and technical acumen.²

In this article, we’ll guide readers through Ohio’s MEM programs, the job outlook for engineering management graduates, and career pathways you might follow after graduation.

Considering an MEM Program?

Tell us about your interests and we’ll recommend the best fit MEM programs in less than 60 seconds. Get the information you need to make an informed decision and compare your options from one list!

Find my Program

Engineering & Tech Landscape in Ohio

Ohio boasts a well established tech industry. The state is home to Intel's $20B semiconductor plant, GE Aerospace, and Honda’s R&D center. Tech and engineering employers within the state include Nationwide Insurance (tech infrastructure), Battelle (R&D), and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (defense tech). In addition to these established tech centers, electric vehicles, automation, and AI-enhanced manufacturing are all poised to be growth areas for the state in upcoming years.³

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering managers in Ohio earn $125,000–$145,000 on average.⁴ The state has high demand for engineering management in
industrial engineering, systems engineering, supply chain management, and supply chain leadership.⁵ Your engineering degree will enable you to earn a salary that goes further than it would in tech hubs like California and New York, although major cities like Columbus and Cincinnati offer excellent quality of life.⁶

Studying at a local engineering management program like the one at Ohio State University will have access to strong professional networks through ASEM Midwest, access to engineering research centers, internships, and co-op partnerships through your university’s career services center.

What to Expect from a Master of Engineering Management Degree

Your engineering management degree will likely involve an interdisciplinary curriculum, combining management theory, systems engineering, financial analysis, operations, and R&D leadership. Engineering management programs integrate technical and business education for engineers seeking leadership roles by combining high level engineering skills with up to date management theory.

Programs have also been responding to the profound effects of emerging technologies, which are transforming how engineers operate in a professional setting and the skills they need to thrive. Machine learning and AI have become essential tools for allowing engineers to handle large amounts of data, refine systems and designs, and even anticipate team needs. Engineering management programs are integrating these new technologies into both their business and technical curriculums.

This blended focus on systems engineering, engineering technology, and best practices for managing technical teams will prepare you to step into leadership roles where you are tasked with establishing and maintaining operational excellence. Typical outcomes include leading technical teams, managing product life cycles, or developing operations strategy. However, the precise nature of these roles depends on your concentration, which could be something like project management, engineering analytics, supply chain, or technology commercialization.

Comparing Online MEM Programs in Ohio

Featured Programs

Engineering managers combine technical expertise with leadership skills to drive successful project outcomes in complex technological environments. Ohio University's online Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program bridges the gap between engineering and management, equipping professionals with the essential leadership capabilities to advance their careers while maintaining their technical foundation. This flexible program allows working engineers to enhance their qualifications without interrupting their professional commitments, creating a pathway to leadership positions across various industries.

The MEM program at Ohio University is designed with working professionals in mind, offering a structure that accommodates career demands while providing comprehensive management education.

Format: 100% online, asynchronous learning
Credits: 34 credit hours
Duration: Typically completed in five semesters (approximately 20 months); can be extended up to six years if needed
Cost: $737 per credit hour for Ohio residents; $756 per credit hour for non-residents

This program integrates engineering knowledge with management principles, creating a curriculum that prepares students to lead technical teams and projects effectively.

Engineering managers bridge technical expertise with business acumen, enabling organizations to turn innovative ideas into successful ventures. The Ohio State University's online Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program prepares engineers and technical professionals to take on leadership roles by providing a unique interdisciplinary education. Through a collaborative curriculum offered jointly by the College of Engineering, the Fisher College of Business, and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, students develop the comprehensive skill set needed to lead in today's complex technological landscape while maintaining the flexibility to advance their careers without interruption.

The MEM program at Ohio State offers a flexible structure designed to accommodate working professionals while providing rigorous, relevant education.

Format: 100% online, asynchronous learning
Credits: 30 credit hours
Duration: Typically completed in 2-3 years
Cost: $1,099.98 per credit hour (includes instructional and general fees)

This program is accessible to professionals with various backgrounds, though an undergraduate degree in engineering and at least one year of professional experience are recommended. The curriculum balances technical knowledge with essential management principles to prepare graduates for leadership roles in engineering contexts.

Engineering managers combine technical expertise with business acumen to lead complex projects and teams in today's dynamic technological landscape. Youngstown State University's online Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) program prepares engineers to transition into leadership roles by integrating advanced engineering knowledge with essential management principles. This comprehensive program allows working professionals to enhance their qualifications without disrupting their careers, creating a strategic pathway to advancement across various technical industries.

The MSEM program at Youngstown State offers a structured yet flexible curriculum designed to accommodate working professionals.

Format: 100% online
Credits: 30 credit hours
Duration: Two-year program, commencing in fall semester of odd-numbered years
Structure: Both full-time and part-time options available
Cost: $13,560 annual tuition for in-state students; $13,920 for out-of-state students (2024-2025 academic year)

This program integrates technical engineering knowledge with business management principles, creating well-rounded professionals ready to lead engineering teams and projects.

Admission Requirements and Tuition

While every program has its own policies, standard admission requirements for an engineering degree typically include having bachelor’s in engineering or another STEM related field, a minimum GPA within a certain range, and letters of recommendation. The GRE is typically optional, although some graduate degree programs encourage applicants to include scores if they would strengthen their applications.

Tuition for this type of degree typically ranges from $25,000–$45,000, with various financial aid and part-time options available. These may include discounts for teachers and members of the military, private grants, work study opportunities, fellowships, and more. Many working professionals opt for an online master’s program, which doesn’t require relocation, is typically lower in cost, and can often be completed asynchronously on your own schedule.

Career Pathways and ROI for Engineering Management Graduates

An online master’s degree in engineering management can qualify you for a number of roles. Graduates may work as engineering managers or other types of managers, including product development lead, operations manager, R&D strategist, systems engineer, supply chain director, and a variety of other leadership roles. Entry-level engineering managers typically earn around $95,000 or more, while mid-career managers earn upwards of $125,000, and those in senior roles commanding $150,000 and up.⁷

Engineers with management skills are in demand in a wide array of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, tech, energy, aerospace, healthcare, and more. Your online MEM typically will include real-world project experience, capstones, or internships that can give you the kind of industry-specific skill sets employers value. For mid-career professionals interested in leveling up their management abilities without pausing their career trajectories, online learning can be an excellent option. Step into leadership roles while maintaining your current position and even take advantage of any tuition assistance your employer may offer.

Choosing the Right Program

So how do you know which engineering management program is right for you? It all depends on your personal career goals and the type of certificate or degree you’d like to obtain, whether that’s an engineering analytics certificate, graduate certificate, or graduate degree.

Each engineering program will have its own features, which you should consider to see if they align with your career goals. These include electives, which can determine your area of specialty after you graduate, the co-ops offered, and the strength and reach of their alumni networks.

Whatever program you decide to apply for, make sure you consider its Higher Learning Commission accreditation status, the flexibility and timing of coursework, faculty background, and type of support for working professionals. These features can make all the difference between success and failure as you launch your engineering management career.