Cheapest Public Administration Colleges in Ohio

Public Administration programs in Ohio create a sharp divide between public and private costs, with Youngstown State University charging just $11,877 annually while private options like Baldwin Wallace reach $27,654. The state's 13 programs serve students entering government roles with major employers including Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, where administrative positions support complex healthcare operations. Ohio State graduates earn $35,914 on average, reflecting the field's solid career prospects in a state where manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors require skilled public servants. Graduation rates vary dramatically from Franklin University's 30.3% to Ohio State's 87.7%.

Programs

$11,877 – $27,662

Net Price Range

$36,344

Avg. Program Earnings

61.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Public Administration Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio	$11,877	$10,791	52.9%	80.6%
2	Cleveland State University Cleveland, Ohio	$16,065	$12,613	48.9%	85.3%
3	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
4	Muskingum University New Concord, Ohio	$20,204	$31,440	52.7%	86.4%
5	Notre Dame College Cleveland, Ohio	$20,477	$32,606	36.6%	78.5%
6	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, Ohio	$20,918	$14,081	62.8%	78.7%
7	Mount Vernon Nazarene University Mount Vernon, Ohio	$21,812	$35,524	63.6%	85.3%
8	Otterbein University Westerville, Ohio	$22,140	$34,899	68.9%	83.7%
9	Franklin University Columbus, Ohio	$22,605	$9,577	30.3%
10	Capital University Columbus, Ohio	$23,585	$41,788	65.5%	72.2%
11	Cedarville University Cedarville, Ohio	$25,022	$36,078	74.3%	64.9%
12	Baldwin Wallace University Berea, Ohio	$27,654	$37,938	68.6%	77.0%
13	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, Ohio	$27,662	$17,809	81.8%	87.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Youngstown State University the most affordable option?

Youngstown State charges $11,877 net annually with an 80.6% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most applicants. The 52.9% graduation rate reflects the university's focus on working students in northeastern Ohio's recovering industrial region.

How do public university costs compare to private colleges?

Public universities average around $17,000 annually while private colleges range from $20,204 to $27,654. Ohio State offers the best value among publics at $18,292 with strong 87.7% graduation rates and $35,914 average earnings.

Does Miami University justify its higher public cost?

Miami University charges $27,662 but delivers $41,992 average earnings, the highest among Ohio programs. The 81.8% graduation rate and strong alumni network in Cincinnati and Dayton government sectors support the premium.

Where do Ohio Public Administration graduates typically work?

Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, and Honda manufacturing facilities hire many graduates for administrative roles. State and local government positions throughout Ohio's 88 counties also provide steady employment opportunities.

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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.