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Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Ohio

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Ohio State University stands out among Ohio's liberal arts programs with an 87.70% graduation rate and $38,289 median earnings, commanding a premium at $18,292 net cost. This contrasts sharply with Kent State's regional campuses, where East Liverpool offers the same degree for just $10,569 annually. The state's 20 programs span from small branch campuses with graduation rates below 30% to major research universities approaching 90% completion. Liberal arts graduates in Ohio find opportunities across the state's healthcare network, including Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, where communication and analytical skills prove valuable in patient services, administration, and research support roles. Manufacturing giants like Honda also recruit liberal arts graduates for training, human resources, and quality assurance positions that require broad-based thinking and cultural competency.
50
Programs
$3,138 – $41,480
Net Price Range
$33,548
Avg. Program Earnings
49.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,569 $34,978 $7,272 9.8%
2 $10,679 $34,978 $7,272 26.8%
3 $10,753 $34,978 $7,272 25.8%
4 $10,964 $34,978 $7,272 25.9%
5 $11,310 $34,978 $7,272 37.3%
6 $11,480 $34,978 $7,272 37.1%
7 $11,593 $34,978 $7,272 28.2%
8 $13,346 $34,793 $7,278 21.6%
9 $13,824 $34,793 $7,278 24.5%
10 $11,877 $29,219 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
11 $15,216 $36,848 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
12 $14,981 $32,569 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
13 $18,292 $38,289 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
14 $15,389 $29,685 $9,622 43.0%
15 $17,460 $32,569 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
16 $19,614 $34,978 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
17 $20,413 $31,474 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
18 $31,236 $45,696 $47,600 81.5% 74.1%
19 $22,539 $32,593 $35,400 64.9% 75.8%
20 $20,918 $30,228 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
21 $27,662 $34,793 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
22 $32,342 $40,455 $48,125 70.5% 84.5%
23 $21,607 $25,774 $23,700 35.7%
24 $16,135 $15,552 $36,650 54.7% 54.4%
25 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
26 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
27 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
28 $6,602 $37,143 26.3% 83.0%
29 $20,004 $34,595 61.7% 72.5%
30 $21,619 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
31 $22,140 $34,899 68.9% 83.7%
32 $12,603 $7,504 42.5% 99.9%
33 $25,766 $59,550 73.6% 56.3%
34 $19,470 $44,602 53.8% 93.9%
35 $22,872 $30,962 55.1% 88.1%
36 $23,987 $32,630 77.1% 66.7%
37 $23,758 $32,400 43.0% 82.8%
38 $18,027 $37,860 53.2% 85.1%
39 $3,138 $7,696 50.0% 63.8%
40 $17,430 $36,298 49.5% 96.3%
41 $38,909 $64,671 87.0% 27.4%
42 $25,022 $36,078 74.3% 64.9%
43 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
44 $41,480 $47,880 67.5% 69.8%
45 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
46 $23,722 $38,778 36.7% 62.9%
47 $38,111 $64,000 80.1% 22.0%
48 $23,731 $39,646 62.6% 86.0%
49 $22,605 $9,577 30.3%
50 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between Ohio's cheapest and most expensive liberal arts programs?

Kent State's East Liverpool campus offers liberal arts degrees for $10,569 annually, while Ohio State charges $18,292, a difference of $7,723 per year. The Kent State regional campuses operate on a streamlined model with lower overhead costs and fewer campus amenities. However, this cost savings comes with trade-offs in graduation rates, as East Liverpool graduates just 9.80% of students compared to Ohio State's 87.70%.

How do graduation rates vary across Ohio's liberal arts programs?

Graduation rates range from 9.80% at Kent State East Liverpool to 87.70% at Ohio State, revealing stark differences in student success. The Kent State regional campuses generally show completion rates between 25-37%, while larger state universities like Wright State achieve 45.90% and Toledo reaches 55.60%. Ohio State's strong 87.70% rate reflects its selective 52.72% acceptance rate and stronger academic support systems.

Is the debt load manageable for Ohio liberal arts graduates given their earning potential?

Most Ohio programs keep debt reasonable relative to earnings, with typical debt loads around $27,000-$28,000 against median earnings of $32,000-$38,000. Ohio State graduates carry just $19,500 in debt while earning $38,289, creating the best debt-to-income ratio. However, Youngstown State graduates face a challenging scenario with $26,924 debt against $29,219 earnings, the lowest in the state.

Does attending a branch campus versus main campus affect career outcomes?

Kent State's main campus and regional branches report identical $34,978 median earnings, suggesting employers value the degree equally regardless of campus. The regional campuses offer the same curriculum at lower costs, with net prices around $10,500-$11,500 compared to larger universities. However, the dramatically lower graduation rates at branch campuses mean fewer students actually complete their degrees to realize these earnings.

Where do liberal arts graduates find the best job opportunities in Ohio?

Ohio's healthcare sector, anchored by Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, actively recruits liberal arts graduates for patient advocacy, research coordination, and administrative roles. Manufacturing companies like Honda seek these graduates for human resources, training development, and international business positions that require cultural awareness and communication skills. The state's growing tech sector in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati also values liberal arts graduates for user experience research, technical writing, and project management roles.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.