2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Ohio

1

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Leading the list is Stark State College, our #1 best value for general education in Ohio. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,957 in student loans. General Education graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

A rank of #2 makes Wright State University Main Campus one of the best values for general education. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

3

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

Washington State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. General Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

5

Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH

A rank of #5 makes Bluffton University one of the best values for general education. Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bluffton. Students from in state pay about $37,362 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bluffton University generally make around $41,821. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

6

Central State University
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, compared with $10,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,318 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $27,388. Set against $31,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

7

Walsh University
North Canton, OH

Walsh University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,064 in student loans. General Education graduates of Walsh University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

8

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $30,782 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $37,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

Muskingum University
New Concord, OH

Muskingum University landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Located in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,701 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,932 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Muskingum University generally make around $39,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

10

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,577. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH

Wilmington College came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Wilmington, Wilmington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,082. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $37,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilmington College admits about 92% of applicants.

12

The University Of Findlay
Findlay, OH

The University Of Findlay came in at #12 for value in general education this year. The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Findlay. In-state tuition and fees average $41,164. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,759. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $49,309. That is a strong return on a $25,759 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

13

Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,029. General Education graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

14

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

15

John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,500. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $37,978. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.