Cheapest Chemistry Colleges in Ohio

Ohio University's regional campuses offer Chemistry programs with net costs as low as $4,503, making them among the most affordable science education options in the state. The Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville delivers this remarkable value while maintaining access to the same core curriculum as the main Athens campus. Ohio's chemical industry, anchored by companies like Procter & Gamble and AkzoNobel, creates steady demand for Chemistry graduates across manufacturing and research sectors. The cost spectrum spans from these Ohio University regional programs to private institutions like Mount St. Joseph University at $16,135, showing how strategic campus selection can save students over $11,000 annually. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with Youngstown State University graduates earning $20,140 in early career positions while Cleveland State University Chemistry alumni command $41,565. Regional campuses typically show lower graduation rates, ranging from 12.1% to 20%, but offer unmatched affordability for students planning to transfer or seeking foundational coursework near home.

Programs

$4,503 – $32,342

Net Price Range

$38,640

Avg. Program Earnings

55.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Chemistry Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, Ohio	$4,503	$6,178	20.0%
2	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, Ohio	$5,328	$6,178	19.3%
3	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, Ohio	$5,971	$6,178	17.7%
4	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, Ohio	$6,133	$6,178	13.7%
5	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, Ohio	$6,483	$6,178	12.1%
6	Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio	$11,877	$10,791	52.9%	80.6%
7	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981	$12,799	48.2%	82.9%
8	Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, Ohio	$15,216	$11,188	45.9%	95.2%
9	Shawnee State University Portsmouth, Ohio	$15,389	$9,622	43.0%
10	Cleveland State University Cleveland, Ohio	$16,065	$12,613	48.9%	85.3%
11	Mount St. Joseph University Cincinnati, Ohio	$16,135	$36,650	54.7%	54.4%
12	Central State University Wilberforce, Ohio	$16,544	$7,824	25.6%	88.8%
13	Bluffton University Bluffton, Ohio	$17,430	$36,298	49.5%	96.3%
14	University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio	$17,460	$12,377	55.6%	92.2%
15	Ursuline College Pepper Pike, Ohio	$18,027	$37,860	53.2%	85.1%
16	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
17	Marietta College Marietta, Ohio	$18,372	$38,974	58.1%	82.9%
18	Wittenberg University Springfield, Ohio	$19,470	$44,602	53.8%	93.9%
19	Ohio Dominican University Columbus, Ohio	$19,476	$34,370	47.9%	52.4%
20	Kent State University at Kent Kent, Ohio	$19,614	$12,846	65.5%	88.0%
21	Walsh University North Canton, Ohio	$20,004	$34,595	61.7%	72.5%
22	Hiram College Hiram, Ohio	$20,088	$26,265	59.1%	93.1%
23	Muskingum University New Concord, Ohio	$20,204	$31,440	52.7%	86.4%
24	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, Ohio	$20,413	$13,746	66.4%	86.5%
25	Notre Dame College Cleveland, Ohio	$20,477	$32,606	36.6%	78.5%
26	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, Ohio	$20,918	$14,081	62.8%	78.7%
27	Lake Erie College Painesville, Ohio	$21,296	$36,032	41.9%	54.1%
28	Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, Ohio	$21,619	$52,357	61.7%	52.2%
29	Heidelberg University Tiffin, Ohio	$21,662	$33,628	49.8%	71.4%
30	Mount Vernon Nazarene University Mount Vernon, Ohio	$21,812	$35,524	63.6%	85.3%
31	Ashland University Ashland, Ohio	$21,994	$28,910	60.6%	71.8%
32	Otterbein University Westerville, Ohio	$22,140	$34,899	68.9%	83.7%
33	University of Mount Union Alliance, Ohio	$22,539	$35,400	64.9%	75.8%
34	Wilmington College Wilmington, Ohio	$22,872	$30,962	55.1%	88.1%
35	Malone University Canton, Ohio	$22,881	$36,120	51.3%	77.6%
36	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, Ohio	$23,156	$13,570	71.5%	86.2%
37	Capital University Columbus, Ohio	$23,585	$41,788	65.5%	72.2%
38	The University of Findlay Findlay, Ohio	$23,731	$39,646	62.6%	86.0%
39	Tiffin University Tiffin, Ohio	$23,758	$32,400	43.0%	82.8%
40	Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, Ohio	$23,987	$32,630	77.1%	66.7%
41	Cedarville University Cedarville, Ohio	$25,022	$36,078	74.3%	64.9%
42	Ohio Northern University Ada, Ohio	$25,727	$37,800	74.2%	54.4%
43	The College of Wooster Wooster, Ohio	$25,766	$59,550	73.6%	56.3%
44	Baldwin Wallace University Berea, Ohio	$27,654	$37,938	68.6%	77.0%
45	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, Ohio	$27,662	$17,809	81.8%	87.9%
46	John Carroll University University Heights, Ohio	$28,617	$49,100	76.5%	82.4%
47	Kenyon College Gambier, Ohio	$29,383	$69,330	86.8%	34.3%
48	University of Rio Grande Rio Grande, Ohio	$29,541	$20,560	32.2%
49	University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio	$31,236	$47,600	81.5%	74.1%
50	Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio	$32,342	$48,125	70.5%	84.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ohio University regional campuses so affordable for Chemistry students?

Ohio University's five regional campuses offer Chemistry programs with net costs between $4,503 and $6,483, significantly below the state average. These campuses share resources and curriculum with the main Athens campus while operating in lower-cost rural locations. Students can complete foundational Chemistry coursework locally before transferring to complete advanced laboratories and research requirements. The $6,178 in-state tuition remains consistent across all Ohio University locations.

How do graduation rates compare between affordable and expensive Chemistry programs in Ohio?

Ohio University regional campuses show graduation rates between 12.1% and 20%, reflecting their role as transfer-focused institutions rather than four-year completion centers. In contrast, Mount St. Joseph University achieves a 54.7% graduation rate at $16,135 net cost. University of Toledo balances affordability with outcomes, posting a 55.6% graduation rate at $17,460 net cost. Cleveland State University graduates 48.9% of students while maintaining a $16,065 net price point.

Does Chemistry program affordability in Ohio correlate with career earnings?

The relationship varies significantly across Ohio institutions. Cleveland State University Chemistry graduates earn $41,565 despite a moderate $16,065 net cost, benefiting from Cleveland's chemical industry connections. Youngstown State University offers the lowest net cost at $11,877 among full universities, though graduates earn $20,140 early in their careers. Wright State University provides strong earning potential at $38,289 with a $15,216 net cost, reflecting Dayton's aerospace and materials science sectors.

Where should students prioritize cost versus program quality in Ohio Chemistry education?

Students planning immediate workforce entry might consider Cleveland State University for its $41,565 graduate earnings and reasonable $16,065 cost. Those planning graduate school could start at Ohio University regional campuses for foundational coursework at $4,503-$6,483, then transfer for research opportunities. Wright State University offers middle-ground value with $38,289 earnings at $15,216 net cost. Regional campuses work best for students with clear transfer plans to research universities.

How do private nonprofit Chemistry programs compete on affordability in Ohio?

Mount St. Joseph University leads private affordability at $16,135 net cost, comparable to public universities like Cleveland State. Bluffton University costs $17,430 despite a $36,298 sticker price, showing substantial financial aid. Ursuline College reaches $18,027 net cost with strong support services and smaller class sizes. These private options often provide more personalized attention and research opportunities, though public universities typically offer better laboratory facilities and graduate school pathways.

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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.