The 6 best mechatronics bachelor's programs in Ohio, ranked
Ohio's six mechatronics-track BS programs split into three tiers. Kent State, BGSU, and University of Akron are ABET-accredited (one EAC + three ETAC). Tri-C and Lorain CCC offer Bachelor of Applied Science continuation degrees from their AAS programs at community-college tuition for the full four years. Pick by intended career track, geography, and pricing tier.
Kent, OH · ABET-EAC
BS in Mechatronics Engineering
Kent State University
Kent State is one of very few US institutions running both an EAC-accredited Mechatronics Engineering BS (this entry — the engineer-track, FE/PE-licensure-eligible degree) and a separate ETAC-accredited Mechatronics Engineering Technology BS. The EAC track sits in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering at the Kent campus, with public-tuition pricing among the most affordable EAC mechatronics options in the country. Curriculum is built around design, construction, and operation of automated systems, robots, and intelligent products that come from integrated hardware-software systems.
Tuition
$12,300/yr
Duration
48 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
ABET-EAC
Overall
74
of 100
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Akron, OH · ABET-ETAC
BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology - Mechatronics Specialization
University of Akron
University of Akron's BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology is ABET-ETAC accredited under General Criteria plus Program Criteria for Mechanical Engineering Technology. The Mechatronics Specialization is one of four declared specializations (Design, Materials, Manufacturing, Mechatronics) that students choose starting in Year 3, comprising a 17-18 credit block of mechatronics-focused coursework on top of the broader ETAC-accredited BSMET. Goodyear, FirstEnergy, Babcock & Wilcox, and the broader Akron-Canton manufacturing corridor anchor placement.
Tuition
$11,500/yr
Duration
48 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
ABET-ETAC
Hiring employers
Overall
73
of 100
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Bowling Green, OH · ABET-ETAC
BS in Technology (Mechatronics Engineering Technology)
Bowling Green State University
BGSU's 122-credit BS in Technology specializing in Mechatronics Engineering Technology landed ETAC accreditation in 2020 and is taught out of the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering. The curriculum covers analysis, applied design, development, implementation, automation, and management of advanced mechatronics and robotics system technologies, with a required co-op/internship block built into the degree plan. Graduates fill industrial positions in robotics and automation across process control, instrumentation, testing, manufacturing, sales, and field service. Northwest Ohio placement footprint covers automotive suppliers, food processing, and the broader Toledo-Detroit manufacturing corridor.
Tuition
$12,018/yr
Duration
48 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
ABET-ETAC
Overall
71
of 100
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Kent, OH · ABET-ETAC
BS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Kent State University
Kent State runs both an EAC-accredited Mechatronics Engineering BS and this ETAC-accredited Mechatronics Engineering Technology BS — students choose by FE/PE-licensure intent (EAC) versus technologist-track placement (this program). The ETAC track is accredited under the General Criteria PLUS the more specific ETAC Program Criteria for Mechatronics Engineering Technology — Kent is one of only seven US programs to hold that specific Program Criteria accreditation as of 2025. Curriculum integrates mechanical, electrical, computer, and controls engineering technology focused on automated systems, robotics, and intelligent products. Housed in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering.
Tuition
$12,300/yr
Duration
48 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
ABET-ETAC
Overall
70
of 100
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Cleveland, OH · ABET-accredited
BAS in Integrated Digital Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)
Cuyahoga Community College's Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Digital Manufacturing Engineering Technology is the upper-division continuation pathway for students who complete the Smart Manufacturing - Mechatronics AAS. The four-year total program runs at community college pricing across both lower and upper divisions, which is rare for a bachelor's degree. A Preparatory Bridge Program allows students entering from outside the Tri-C AAS pipeline to qualify. Curriculum builds on the mechatronics foundation with advanced automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing systems.
Tuition
$7,775/yr
Duration
48 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
Regionally accredited (HLC)
Hiring employers
Overall
68
of 100
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Elyria, OH · ABET-accredited
BAS in Smart Industrial Automated Systems Engineering Technology
Lorain County Community College
Lorain CCC launched the Smart Industrial Automated Systems Engineering Technology BAS in Fall 2022, with the first cohort graduating in May 2025. Total program cost is advertised at around $15,000 across four years (community college tuition for both lower and upper division). Earn-and-Learn paid placements with regional manufacturers are embedded throughout the degree pathway. Open only to students who have completed (or are completing) the AAS in Automation Engineering Technology.
Tuition
$4,200/yr
Duration
48 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
Regionally accredited (HLC)
Overall
67
of 100
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Why Ohio is one of the top US states for a mechatronics engineering career
Ohio has the third-largest manufacturing workforce in the US after California and Texas, but the highest manufacturing employment per capita of any state with more than 5 million residents. The base is diversified: Honda automotive in Marysville and Anna, GE Aviation jet engines in Evendale, GM Lordstown (battery joint venture), Ford Cleveland Engine, Procter & Gamble consumer products, Cooper Tire, and dozens of others. None of these employers dominate the way BMW dominates South Carolina, which means OH mechatronics engineers have more employer choice and more mobility within the state.
The big new force is Intel. The New Albany semiconductor fab is the largest single private investment in OH history. Once both planned fabs are operational, Intel directly employs around 3,000 with another 7,000+ construction and supplier jobs ongoing. Semiconductor fabrication is one of the most mechatronics-intensive industries that exists. Every step of chip-making relies on automated equipment that mechatronics-trained engineers and technicians install, maintain, and improve.
Kent State EAC vs ETAC: which mechatronics degree should you pick
Kent State runs two completely separate mechatronics BS programs at the same campus. They are accredited under different ABET commissions and prepare students for different career tracks.
BS in Mechatronics Engineering (EAC-accredited): The engineer-track degree. Calc-based math sequence (Calc I through Differential Equations). Calc-based physics. Theoretical depth. Graduates can sit for the FE exam, accumulate supervised engineering experience, and pursue PE licensure in all 50 states. Right pick if you want maximum optionality or are targeting industries where PE matters.
BS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology (ETAC-accredited): The technologist-track degree. More applied math, more hands-on lab time, industry-current equipment. PE-eligible in about 30 states with additional qualifying experience. Right pick if you want hands-on plant-floor engineering work and do not specifically need the PE pathway.
Both are housed in Kent State's College of Aeronautics and Engineering. Both lead to engineer-tier roles at OH manufacturers. Same school brand on the diploma. Pick by your intended career track, not by the prestige of the credential.
Top Ohio employers hiring mechatronics engineers
Honda Manufacturing of America (Marysville + Anna)
Honda's Marysville Auto Plant assembles Accord, Acura TLX, and CR-V. Anna Engine Plant produces Honda powertrains. Together Honda operations in OH employ over 14,000 directly. Heavy automation across body shop, paint, and assembly. Honda partners with OH community colleges and universities for engineering hiring.
GE Aviation (Evendale, Cincinnati)
GE Aviation's headquarters and major jet engine manufacturing. Produces the GE9X, GEnx, LEAP, and CF6 engine families. Aerospace mechatronics work is precision-focused, lower-throughput than automotive but higher-complexity. Strong engineering hiring continuously.
Procter & Gamble (Cincinnati)
P&G's global headquarters and several major manufacturing facilities. Consumer products manufacturing is automation-intensive with strong continuous-process work. P&G hires mechanical, electrical, and mechatronics-track engineers across plant operations and R&D.
Cooper Tire & Rubber (Findlay)
Cooper Tire headquarters and major tire manufacturing. Heavy automation across tire-building and curing. Strong NW Ohio employer base.
GM Lordstown (Ultium Cells battery joint venture)
The former GM Lordstown assembly plant has been converted to Ultium Cells battery manufacturing (GM + LG Energy Solution joint venture). Battery cell production employs mechatronics engineers for assembly automation and process control.
Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (Lima)
The Army's combat vehicle assembly facility (Abrams tank production). Defense manufacturing mechatronics work. Stable government contracting employment with security-cleared engineering positions.
Ford Cleveland Engine Plant
Ford engine manufacturing. Mechatronics engineers work on machining-line automation and assembly automation.
Intel New Albany: the next decade of Ohio mechatronics hiring
Intel's $28+ billion semiconductor fab in New Albany (Licking County, east of Columbus) is the largest single private manufacturing investment in OH history. Construction started 2022. First fab expected operational 2026-2027. Second fab to follow.
What this means for mechatronics graduates: Intel directly will employ around 3,000 once both fabs are running. Another 7,000+ supplier and construction jobs ongoing. Semiconductor equipment makers (Applied Materials, Lam Research, KLA, ASML) are setting up support operations in the area. Semiconductor manufacturing is fundamentally a mechatronics discipline: every fab tool is an automated system that requires mechatronics-trained personnel to install, operate, maintain, and continuously improve.
Both Kent State BS programs are well-positioned for this pipeline. So are graduate programs at Ohio State, University of Cincinnati, and Case Western Reserve. The hiring wave will continue through 2030 and beyond.
Mechatronics engineer salary in Ohio
- Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141) in OH: median around $90,000 to $99,000.
- Engineers, All Other (SOC 17-2199, includes mechatronics engineers) in OH: median around $95,000 to $105,000.
- Electrical Engineers (SOC 17-2071) in OH: median around $98,000 to $108,000.
- Entry-level BS graduate wages: $68,000 to $82,000 typical in OH manufacturing.
- Honda Anna Engine Plant and GE Aviation Evendale pay at the upper end of OH manufacturing engineering wages.
- Intel New Albany will set new highs once at full ramp, with semiconductor-industry engineering wages typically 15 to 25 percent above general manufacturing.
How to pay for an Ohio mechatronics bachelor's degree
- Kent State University in-state tuition: around $12,300/year. Out-of-state tuition around $21,500/year.
- BGSU in-state tuition: around $12,000/year.
- Ohio College Opportunity Grant: need-based state grant up to $3,500/year for Ohio residents at public colleges.
- Federal Pell Grants: up to $7,395/year for eligible students.
- Honda Engineering Scholarship and similar employer-funded scholarships available for OH manufacturing-track students.
OH public universities sit in the middle of the national tuition range, but the state's strong manufacturing economy means co-op and internship pay opportunities are plentiful. A typical Kent State or BGSU mechatronics student can offset 30 to 50 percent of tuition through paid co-op work.
Best Ohio cities for mechatronics careers
Columbus / New Albany / Licking County
Intel New Albany is the largest new mechatronics employer in the state for the next decade. Ohio State University is also in Columbus. Strong existing manufacturing base in central OH.
Cincinnati / Evendale
Home to GE Aviation, P&G, and a deep engineering employer base. University of Cincinnati's co-op program is one of the strongest in the country.
Marysville / Anna
Honda Manufacturing of America headquarters and assembly. Strong central OH manufacturing presence.
Kent / Akron / Cleveland (NE Ohio)
Home to Kent State University and a broad NE OH manufacturing base including Ford Cleveland Engine and GM Lordstown / Ultium Cells. Industrial history dating back over a century.
Toledo / Bowling Green / NW Ohio
Home to BGSU and the NW OH manufacturing base. Cooper Tire in Findlay. Owens-Illinois glass. Various automotive suppliers.
How we ranked Ohio mechatronics programs
Every program scored on our 7-factor methodology: accreditation (25 percent), program leadership (15 percent), pathways and laddering (15 percent), delivery format (15 percent), employer signal (15 percent), cost and affordability (10 percent), reputation (5 percent). See the full methodology breakdown. EAC-accredited programs score higher on the accreditation factor than ETAC programs. ETAC programs sometimes outscore EAC on cost and delivery if they have stronger applied-learning facilities.
Ohio mechatronics bachelor's: frequently asked questions
Which Ohio school has the best mechatronics bachelor's degree?
What is the difference between Kent State's EAC and ETAC mechatronics programs?
What does a mechatronics engineer earn in Ohio?
Will Intel Ohio One create mechatronics jobs in Ohio?
What's the difference between Tri-C BAS and Lorain CCC BAS bachelor's programs?
Can I get an Ohio mechatronics BS online?
Sources
- BLS OEWS for SOC 17-2141, 17-2199, and 17-2071 in OH, May 2024 release.
- Intel New Albany investment announcement and ongoing updates.
- Honda Manufacturing of America: Ohio employment and production figures.
- Ohio Department of Higher Education: tuition rates and Ohio College Opportunity Grant eligibility.
- Kent State BS in Mechatronics Engineering (EAC) program page.
- Kent State BS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology (ETAC) program page.
- BGSU BS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology program page.
- ABET Accredited Program Search: Kent State (both EAC and ETAC) and BGSU ETAC accreditation status.
- HLC: Higher Learning Commission institutional accreditation for all three universities.