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Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Ohio

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

Youngstown State University delivers the strongest value proposition for teacher education in Ohio, with a net cost of just $11,877 while preparing graduates who earn $31,950 annually. This stark contrast to Wright State University, where similar programs cost $15,216 but yield significantly higher earnings of $37,208, illustrates the complex relationship between educational investment and career outcomes in Ohio's teaching market. The state's education sector benefits from major healthcare systems like Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, which create demand for specialized health education teachers and trainers. Public universities dominate the affordable end of the spectrum, with four institutions offering net costs below $20,000, while private options like Cedarville University command $25,022 but produce graduates earning $36,132. Ohio's manufacturing heritage, anchored by employers like Honda, also drives demand for technical and vocational education specialists. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant helps bridge funding gaps, making teacher preparation programs more accessible across income levels. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from Shawnee State's 43% to Ohio State's impressive 87.70%, reflecting different student populations and institutional support systems.
50
Programs
$3,138 – $38,909
Net Price Range
$33,034
Avg. Program Earnings
54.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,877 $31,950 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
2 $15,216 $37,208 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
3 $14,981 $33,122 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
4 $18,292 $35,934 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
5 $15,389 $29,141 $9,622 43.0%
6 $19,614 $34,251 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
7 $20,204 $33,993 $31,440 52.7% 86.4%
8 $20,004 $32,569 $34,595 61.7% 72.5%
9 $20,918 $33,755 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
10 $19,476 $30,771 $34,370 47.9% 52.4%
11 $22,140 $32,925 $34,899 68.9% 83.7%
12 $21,994 $31,809 $28,910 60.6% 71.8%
13 $25,022 $36,132 $36,078 74.3% 64.9%
14 $23,585 $33,779 $41,788 65.5% 72.2%
15 $23,731 $32,925 $39,646 62.6% 86.0%
16 $21,812 $30,228 $35,524 63.6% 85.3%
17 $22,881 $31,423 $36,120 51.3% 77.6%
18 $27,654 $37,208 $37,938 68.6% 77.0%
19 $23,156 $30,228 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
20 $28,617 $36,848 $49,100 76.5% 82.4%
21 $27,662 $35,351 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
22 $23,722 $25,194 $38,778 36.7% 62.9%
23 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
24 $31,236 $47,600 81.5% 74.1%
25 $32,342 $48,125 70.5% 84.5%
26 $17,430 $36,298 49.5% 96.3%
27 $25,766 $59,550 73.6% 56.3%
28 $38,111 $64,000 80.1% 22.0%
29 $18,027 $37,860 53.2% 85.1%
30 $17,460 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
31 $23,758 $32,400 43.0% 82.8%
32 $38,909 $64,671 87.0% 27.4%
33 $29,541 $20,560 32.2%
34 $22,605 $9,577 30.3%
35 $21,619 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
36 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
37 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
38 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
39 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
40 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
41 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
42 $16,544 $7,824 25.6% 88.8%
43 $25,727 $37,800 74.2% 54.4%
44 $3,138 $7,696 50.0% 63.8%
45 $20,477 $32,606 36.6% 78.5%
46 $21,607 $23,700 35.7%
47 $16,135 $36,650 54.7% 54.4%
48 $21,662 $33,628 49.8% 71.4%
49 $22,539 $35,400 64.9% 75.8%
50 $20,088 $26,265 59.1% 93.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Youngstown State University such a strong value for teacher education?

Youngstown State offers the lowest net cost at $11,877 while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $31,950. The university accepts 80.60% of applicants and achieves a 52.90% graduation rate. Students graduate with manageable debt loads averaging $26,000, making it accessible for future teachers entering a profession with moderate starting salaries.

How do public versus private teacher education programs compare in Ohio?

Public universities consistently offer lower net costs, with the top five most affordable programs all being public institutions ranging from $11,877 to $19,614. Private universities like Cedarville command higher costs at $25,022 but often deliver stronger graduation rates, with Cedarville achieving 74.30% compared to public averages in the 40-60% range. Private programs also tend to have more selective admissions, with acceptance rates around 65-85% versus 80-95% at public institutions.

Does Ohio State University justify its higher cost for teacher education?

Ohio State's $18,292 net cost produces graduates earning $35,934, ranking among the top three for post-graduation income. The university achieves an strong 87.70% graduation rate, the highest among all programs listed. Students also graduate with lower debt loads of $20,829, suggesting strong financial aid support that helps offset the higher upfront costs.

What explains the wide range in graduation rates across Ohio teacher programs?

Graduation rates span from 43% at Shawnee State to 87.70% at Ohio State, reflecting differences in student preparation, institutional resources, and support systems. Schools with higher admission standards like Ohio State (52.72% acceptance rate) and Cedarville (64.88%) tend to achieve better completion rates. Public universities with open enrollment policies often serve students who need additional academic support, resulting in more variable outcomes.

Where do Ohio teacher education graduates find the best earning potential?

Wright State University graduates command the highest earnings at $37,208, followed closely by Cedarville University at $36,132 and Ohio State at $35,934. These programs prepare teachers for Ohio's growing healthcare education sector, supported by major employers like Cleveland Clinic. Manufacturing companies like Honda also create demand for technical education specialists, particularly in regions around Dayton and Columbus where these top-earning programs are located.

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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.