Cheapest Sociology Colleges in Ohio

Ohio University's regional campuses dominate the state's most affordable sociology programs, with Eastern Campus delivering a net cost of just $4,503 annually. This represents a stark contrast to private options like Mount St. Joseph University at $16,135, creating a pricing gap of nearly $12,000 between public and private institutions. Ohio's sociology graduates enter a job market shaped by major healthcare systems like Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, where social service coordination and community outreach roles align well with sociological training. The earnings potential varies significantly across programs, ranging from $24,615 to $35,925 annually, with Ohio State-Mansfield Campus graduates commanding the highest salaries despite a modest 14.1% graduation rate. Manufacturing centers throughout Ohio also rely on sociologists for workforce development and community relations, particularly as companies like Honda expand their operations and community engagement initiatives.

Programs

$4,503 – $39,184

Net Price Range

$30,812

Avg. Program Earnings

54.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

46 Sociology 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	Wilberforce University Wilberforce, Ohio	$7,349	$14,776	16.0%	45.1%
7	Kent State University at Stark North Canton, Ohio	$11,310	$7,272	37.3%
8	Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio	$11,877	$10,791	52.9%	80.6%
9	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981	$12,799	48.2%	82.9%
10	Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, Ohio	$15,216	$11,188	45.9%	95.2%
11	Shawnee State University Portsmouth, Ohio	$15,389	$9,622	43.0%
12	Cleveland State University Cleveland, Ohio	$16,065	$12,613	48.9%	85.3%
13	Mount St. Joseph University Cincinnati, Ohio	$16,135	$36,650	54.7%	54.4%
14	Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus Mansfield, Ohio	$16,512	$9,212	14.1%
15	Central State University Wilberforce, Ohio	$16,544	$7,824	25.6%	88.8%
16	Bluffton University Bluffton, Ohio	$17,430	$36,298	49.5%	96.3%
17	University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio	$17,460	$12,377	55.6%	92.2%
18	Ursuline College Pepper Pike, Ohio	$18,027	$37,860	53.2%	85.1%
19	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
20	Wittenberg University Springfield, Ohio	$19,470	$44,602	53.8%	93.9%
21	Ohio Dominican University Columbus, Ohio	$19,476	$34,370	47.9%	52.4%
22	Kent State University at Kent Kent, Ohio	$19,614	$12,846	65.5%	88.0%
23	Walsh University North Canton, Ohio	$20,004	$34,595	61.7%	72.5%
24	Hiram College Hiram, Ohio	$20,088	$26,265	59.1%	93.1%
25	Muskingum University New Concord, Ohio	$20,204	$31,440	52.7%	86.4%
26	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, Ohio	$20,413	$13,746	66.4%	86.5%
27	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, Ohio	$20,918	$14,081	62.8%	78.7%
28	Lourdes University Sylvania, Ohio	$21,596	$28,930	38.1%	60.4%
29	Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, Ohio	$21,619	$52,357	61.7%	52.2%
30	Mount Vernon Nazarene University Mount Vernon, Ohio	$21,812	$35,524	63.6%	85.3%
31	Otterbein University Westerville, Ohio	$22,140	$34,899	68.9%	83.7%
32	University of Mount Union Alliance, Ohio	$22,539	$35,400	64.9%	75.8%
33	Franklin University Columbus, Ohio	$22,605	$9,577	30.3%
34	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, Ohio	$23,156	$13,570	71.5%	86.2%
35	Capital University Columbus, Ohio	$23,585	$41,788	65.5%	72.2%
36	Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, Ohio	$23,987	$32,630	77.1%	66.7%
37	Ohio Northern University Ada, Ohio	$25,727	$37,800	74.2%	54.4%
38	The College of Wooster Wooster, Ohio	$25,766	$59,550	73.6%	56.3%
39	Baldwin Wallace University Berea, Ohio	$27,654	$37,938	68.6%	77.0%
40	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, Ohio	$27,662	$17,809	81.8%	87.9%
41	John Carroll University University Heights, Ohio	$28,617	$49,100	76.5%	82.4%
42	Kenyon College Gambier, Ohio	$29,383	$69,330	86.8%	34.3%
43	University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio	$31,236	$47,600	81.5%	74.1%
44	Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio	$32,342	$48,125	70.5%	84.5%
45	Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio	$38,909	$64,671	87.0%	27.4%
46	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 sociology students?

Ohio University operates five regional campuses with remarkably low net costs, ranging from $4,503 at Eastern Campus to $6,483 at Chillicothe Campus. These campuses share resources and curriculum with the main Athens campus while maintaining lower overhead costs. The consistent $6,178 in-state tuition across all regional locations, combined with substantial financial aid packages, creates strong value. However, graduation rates at these campuses range from 12.1% to 20%, which students should consider alongside the cost savings.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Ohio sociology programs?

The data reveals an interesting pattern where the most affordable programs often have the lowest graduation rates. Ohio University's regional campuses show graduation rates between 12.1% and 20%, while more expensive options like Mount St. Joseph University achieve 54.7% graduation rates. Youngstown State University represents a middle ground with a $11,877 net cost and strong 52.9% graduation rate. This suggests that while low costs provide access, additional support services at higher-priced institutions may contribute to completion success.

Is there a significant earnings difference between Ohio's public and private sociology programs?

Ohio State-Mansfield Campus graduates earn the highest reported salaries at $35,925, followed by Cleveland State at $33,077, both public institutions. University of Akron graduates earn $30,228, while Wright State graduates start at $28,381. Shawnee State represents the lower end at $24,615 in early career earnings. The data shows that public research universities tend to produce higher-earning sociology graduates, likely due to their research opportunities and alumni networks in Ohio's major metropolitan areas.

Does financial aid significantly impact the actual cost of sociology programs in Ohio?

Financial aid creates dramatic cost differences, particularly at private institutions. Mount St. Joseph University lists a sticker price of $36,650 but offers aid packages that reduce the net cost to $16,135, a savings of over $20,000. Wilberforce University demonstrates even more substantial aid with a $14,776 sticker price dropping to just $7,349 net cost. Public institutions generally have lower sticker prices but still provide meaningful aid, with schools like Kent State Stark reducing costs from $7,272 to $11,310 net.

Where should sociology students focus their search based on career goals in Ohio?

Students targeting healthcare social work should consider Cleveland State University, with its $33,077 graduate earnings and proximity to Cleveland Clinic's extensive network. Those interested in community development might explore Ohio State-Mansfield, which offers the highest earning potential at $35,925 and connects to Ohio's manufacturing corridors. Budget-conscious students can achieve significant savings at Ohio University's regional campuses, though they should prepare for additional academic support given the lower graduation rates. Urban-focused students benefit from Youngstown State's strong 52.9% graduation rate and reasonable $11,877 net cost.

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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.