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Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Ohio

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Gods Bible School and College breaks the affordability barrier with a $3,138 net price that makes Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities education accessible to Ohio students. This Cincinnati institution costs nearly half the amount of the next cheapest option, Ohio University-Eastern Campus at $4,503. The state's public university regional campuses dominate the affordable end, with six Ohio University branches offering net prices under $6,500. Kent State University's satellite campuses cluster around $10,000-$11,500, providing another tier of budget-conscious options. Ohio's healthcare and manufacturing sectors value the critical thinking and communication skills these programs develop, with graduates finding opportunities at major employers like Cleveland Clinic and Honda. The regional campus model allows students to start their education close to home while keeping costs manageable, though graduation rates vary significantly from 9.8% at Kent State East Liverpool to 52.9% at Youngstown State University.
50
Programs
$3,138 – $25,022
Net Price Range
$32,581
Avg. Program Earnings
45.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,138 $7,696 50.0% 63.8%
2 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
3 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
4 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
5 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
6 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
7 $6,602 $37,143 26.3% 83.0%
8 $10,569 $7,272 9.8%
9 $10,679 $7,272 26.8%
10 $10,753 $7,272 25.8%
11 $10,964 $7,272 25.9%
12 $11,310 $7,272 37.3%
13 $11,480 $7,272 37.1%
14 $11,593 $7,272 28.2%
15 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
16 $12,603 $7,504 42.5% 99.9%
17 $13,346 $7,278 21.6%
18 $13,824 $7,278 24.5%
19 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
20 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
21 $15,389 $9,622 43.0%
22 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
23 $16,135 $36,650 54.7% 54.4%
24 $17,430 $36,298 49.5% 96.3%
25 $17,460 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
26 $18,027 $37,860 53.2% 85.1%
27 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
28 $18,372 $38,974 58.1% 82.9%
29 $19,470 $44,602 53.8% 93.9%
30 $19,476 $34,370 47.9% 52.4%
31 $19,614 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
32 $20,004 $34,595 61.7% 72.5%
33 $20,088 $26,265 59.1% 93.1%
34 $20,204 $31,440 52.7% 86.4%
35 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
36 $20,477 $32,606 36.6% 78.5%
37 $20,918 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
38 $21,607 $23,700 35.7%
39 $21,619 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
40 $22,140 $34,899 68.9% 83.7%
41 $22,539 $35,400 64.9% 75.8%
42 $22,605 $9,577 30.3%
43 $22,872 $30,962 55.1% 88.1%
44 $22,881 $36,120 51.3% 77.6%
45 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
46 $23,722 $38,778 36.7% 62.9%
47 $23,731 $39,646 62.6% 86.0%
48 $23,758 $32,400 43.0% 82.8%
49 $23,987 $32,630 77.1% 66.7%
50 $25,022 $36,078 74.3% 64.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Gods Bible School and College so much cheaper than other options?

Gods Bible School and College offers a net price of just $3,138, making it the most affordable Liberal Arts program in Ohio by a significant margin. The private nonprofit institution charges $7,696 in tuition but provides substantial financial aid to bring costs down. Its 50% graduation rate and 63.79% acceptance rate reflect a focused mission that keeps operational costs lower than traditional universities. The school's religious affiliation and specialized focus allow it to operate with different financial structures than secular institutions.

How do Ohio University regional campuses compare in cost and outcomes?

Ohio University's five regional campuses offer remarkably consistent pricing, with net costs ranging from $4,503 to $6,483 despite identical $6,178 in-state tuition. Students carry an average debt load of $24,049 across all campuses. However, graduation rates tell a different story, dropping from 20% at Eastern Campus to just 12.1% at Chillicothe Campus. The uniform pricing structure makes these campuses accessible, but completion rates suggest students may face challenges finishing their programs.

What earning potential do graduates from these programs have?

Kent State University regional campus graduates earn $34,978 on average, representing the highest earnings among schools with available data. Youngstown State University graduates earn $29,219, which falls at the lower end of the state's range. The $5,759 difference between these earnings levels shows how institutional reputation and location can impact career outcomes. Ohio's job market in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology provides opportunities for liberal arts graduates who can adapt their skills to various sectors.

Does choosing a regional campus affect graduation rates significantly?

Graduation rates vary dramatically across Ohio's regional campuses, from Kent State East Liverpool's 9.8% to Kent State Stark's 37.3%. Ohio University's regional campuses show consistently low completion rates between 12.1% and 20%, while Kent State's satellite locations generally perform better at 25-37%. Youngstown State University achieves the highest rate at 52.9%, suggesting that full university resources and campus life may support student success. These differences highlight the importance of considering completion likelihood alongside cost when choosing a program.

Where can students find the best balance of cost and outcomes?

Kent State University at Stark offers the strongest combination with a $11,310 net price, 37.3% graduation rate, and $34,978 average earnings for graduates. Youngstown State University provides another solid option at $11,877 with the highest graduation rate at 52.9%, though earnings data shows $29,219. Students seeking the absolute lowest cost should consider Gods Bible School at $3,138, but its specialized mission may not suit all career goals. The choice depends on balancing immediate affordability with long-term completion probability and earning potential.

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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.