Cheapest Ethnic Colleges in Ohio

Ohio's cheapest Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies programs create a striking 570% cost difference between the most affordable option at $4,503 and the highest at $29,383. The Ohio University regional campuses claim the top five spots for affordability, with the Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville offering the lowest net price despite having a 20% graduation rate that outperforms three other campuses in the system. This price advantage matters in Ohio's evolving job market, where major employers like Cleveland Clinic and Honda increasingly value cultural competency and diversity expertise in their healthcare and global business operations. Students can access these programs through Ohio's extensive public university network, which includes flagship institutions like Ohio State University at $18,292 net cost. The state's manufacturing heritage and growing healthcare sector create opportunities for graduates who understand demographic shifts and cultural dynamics affecting Ohio's workforce of 5.8 million people.

Programs

$4,503 – $39,184

Net Price Range

$28,780

Avg. Program Earnings

59.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

25 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies 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	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981	$12,799	48.2%	82.9%
7	Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, Ohio	$15,216	$11,188	45.9%	95.2%
8	Cleveland State University Cleveland, Ohio	$16,065	$12,613	48.9%	85.3%
9	University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio	$17,460	$12,377	55.6%	92.2%
10	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
11	Kent State University at Kent Kent, Ohio	$19,614	$12,846	65.5%	88.0%
12	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, Ohio	$20,413	$13,746	66.4%	86.5%
13	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, Ohio	$20,918	$14,081	62.8%	78.7%
14	Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, Ohio	$21,619	$52,357	61.7%	52.2%
15	Otterbein University Westerville, Ohio	$22,140	$34,899	68.9%	83.7%
16	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, Ohio	$23,156	$13,570	71.5%	86.2%
17	The College of Wooster Wooster, Ohio	$25,766	$59,550	73.6%	56.3%
18	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, Ohio	$27,662	$17,809	81.8%	87.9%
19	John Carroll University University Heights, Ohio	$28,617	$49,100	76.5%	82.4%
20	Kenyon College Gambier, Ohio	$29,383	$69,330	86.8%	34.3%
21	University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio	$31,236	$47,600	81.5%	74.1%
22	Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio	$32,342	$48,125	70.5%	84.5%
23	Denison University Granville, Ohio	$38,111	$64,000	80.1%	22.0%
24	Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio	$38,909	$64,671	87.0%	27.4%
25	Oberlin College Oberlin, Ohio	$39,184	$64,646	79.5%	34.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ohio University's regional campuses so affordable for this major?

Ohio University's five regional campuses offer net prices between $4,503 and $6,483, making them the most affordable options statewide. These campuses benefit from lower operational costs in smaller communities like Saint Clairsville and Ironton. However, graduation rates at these locations range from 12.1% to 20%, significantly lower than the main Athens campus which has a 66.4% graduation rate at $20,413 net cost.

How do public and private costs compare for this field in Ohio?

Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 13 of the 15 cheapest programs. The most expensive public option, Bowling Green State University at $20,918, still costs less than the cheapest private school, Ohio Wesleyan University at $21,619. Private institutions like Otterbein University charge $34,899 in sticker price but offer substantial aid, bringing net costs to $22,140.

Is Ohio State University worth the extra cost for this major?

Ohio State University charges $18,292 net price and delivers an 87.7% graduation rate, the highest among affordable options. The university accepts 52.72% of applicants, making it more selective than regional alternatives that accept over 80%. Students graduate with $21,563 in debt on average and earn $27,874 annually, providing clear outcome data for program evaluation.

Where do graduates find employment in Ohio's job market?

Ohio's major employers like Cleveland Clinic and Honda increasingly seek professionals with cultural competency skills for their varied patient populations and international operations. The state's healthcare sector, anchored by Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, values graduates who understand demographic trends affecting care delivery. Manufacturing companies require cultural awareness for global supply chains and varied workforce management across Ohio's industrial regions.

Does financial aid help reduce costs at Ohio universities?

The Ohio College Opportunity Grant provides need-based assistance that helps reduce net prices across the state system. Universities like Wright State show dramatic differences between sticker price ($11,188 in-state tuition) and net price ($15,216 after aid). Regional campuses often provide the deepest discounts, with some students paying less than half the published tuition rates through combined federal, state, and institutional aid packages.

More Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Rankings

Best Value Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies in Ohio Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Under $20,000 in Ohio

All Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Programs Best Colleges in Ohio Best Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies in Ohio

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