Cheapest Housing and Human Environments Colleges

Ohio University's regional campuses dominate the most affordable Housing and Human Environments programs, with five locations offering net costs below $6,500. The Eastern Campus leads at just $4,503 annually, while nearby campuses in Ironton, Zanesville, Lancaster, and Chillicothe all stay under $6,500. This creates an unusual opportunity for students to access the same degree at dramatically different price points depending on location. Graduation rates at these budget-friendly options range from 12% to 20%, reflecting the challenges that often accompany ultra-low-cost education. The field connects directly to the growing senior housing industry, which employs over 1.2 million Americans and continues expanding as baby boomers age. More expensive options like Brigham Young University prove the investment can pay off, with graduates earning $63,855 compared to $41,565 at University of Akron. Public universities in this field typically charge in-state students around $6,000-$11,000, making the Ohio regional campuses true outliers in affordability.

Programs

$4,503 – $40,721

Net Price Range

$45,482

Avg. Program Earnings

54.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Housing and Human Environments 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	CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, New York	$4,783	$7,332	19.4%	81.8%
3	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, Ohio	$5,328	$6,178	19.3%
4	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, Ohio	$5,971	$6,178	17.7%
5	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, Ohio	$6,133	$6,178	13.7%
6	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, Ohio	$6,483	$6,178	12.1%
7	Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, Kentucky	$10,916	$11,436	53.7%	97.0%
8	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
9	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$14,487	$6,496	82.2%	66.7%
10	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri	$14,532	$9,496	55.7%	86.3%
11	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981	$12,799	48.2%	82.9%
12	University of Nevada-Reno Reno, Nevada	$15,402	$8,994	62.4%	85.6%
13	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
14	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, Oklahoma	$16,378	$10,234	65.9%	70.6%
15	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
16	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
17	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
18	Bob Jones University Greenville, South Carolina	$17,529	$23,400	69.6%
19	Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, Tennessee	$18,661	$34,700	46.4%	79.8%
20	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%
21	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, Ohio	$20,413	$13,746	66.4%	86.5%
22	Harding University Searcy, Arkansas	$20,579	$24,888	70.9%	45.1%
23	Adrian College Adrian, Michigan	$21,504	$40,556	56.0%	69.1%
24	High Point University High Point, North Carolina	$40,721	$44,208	70.0%	78.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost differences between Ohio University campuses for the same degree?

Ohio University's Eastern Campus charges just $4,503 net cost while the main campus would cost significantly more for identical degree programs. Regional campuses operate with lower overhead costs, fewer research facilities, and smaller administrative staffs. However, graduation rates reflect this trade-off, with Eastern Campus achieving only 20% compared to much higher rates at traditional four-year campuses. Students receive the same Ohio University degree regardless of campus location.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Housing and Human Environments?

The cheapest programs show concerning graduation rates, with Ohio campuses ranging from 12% to 20% completion. Mid-range schools like Western Kentucky University at $10,916 achieve 53.7% graduation rates. Higher-cost options like University of Georgia at $13,816 reach 87.2% graduation rates. This pattern suggests that extremely low-cost programs may lack support services that help students complete their degrees successfully.

Does Brigham Young University justify its higher costs with better career outcomes?

Brigham Young graduates earn $63,855 annually, the highest in this affordable range despite the $14,487 net cost. This represents a 53% earnings premium over University of Akron graduates who earn $41,565. BYU also maintains an 82.2% graduation rate, suggesting students are more likely to complete the program and enter higher-paying positions. The school's strong alumni network and career services likely contribute to these superior outcomes.

Where do Housing and Human Environments graduates typically find employment?

The field connects to senior living facilities, which employ over 850,000 Americans across assisted living, nursing homes, and independent living communities. Family and consumer sciences specialists work for government agencies, nonprofits, and private companies focusing on housing policy and community development. University of Georgia's location in Athens provides access to Atlanta's large healthcare and real estate sectors. Many graduates also pursue roles in property management, social services, and urban planning departments.

Is attending an Ohio University regional campus worth the extremely low cost?

The $4,503-$6,483 net costs at Ohio regional campuses represent strong value if students can successfully graduate. However, graduation rates between 12% and 20% mean most students never complete their degrees. Students who do graduate avoid significant debt, with typical student loans around $25,683 compared to much higher debt loads elsewhere. Success depends heavily on student motivation and access to external support systems since these campuses offer limited student services.

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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.