2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Ohio

1

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,086. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.

2

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH

Lorain County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $12,060 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,095. That is a strong return on a $12,060 median debt.

3

Marion Technical College
Marion, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marion Technical College earned it the #3 place for general studies. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,812 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $51,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

North Central State College
Mansfield, OH

North Central State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. General Studies graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Cincinnati, OH

A rank of #5 makes Cincinnati State Technical And Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,338. General Studies graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,338 median debt.

6

Gods Bible School And College
Cincinnati, OH

Gods Bible School And College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Gods Bible School And College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,710. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,722 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 75%.

7

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,200. General Studies graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $34,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,200 median debt.

8

Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,024. General Studies graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $33,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,024 median debt.

9

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

Washington State Community College placed #9 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

James A Rhodes State College
Lima, OH

James A Rhodes State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,074. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College
Batavia, OH

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $31,462. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.

12

Kent State University At Trumbull
Warren, OH

Kent State University At Trumbull came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Kent State University At Trumbull is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warren. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Kent State University At Trumbull earn a median of $38,560 early in their careers. Set against $26,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Kent State University At Stark
North Canton, OH

Kent State University At Stark came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Stark generally make around $37,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Kent State University At East Liverpool
East Liverpool, OH

Kent State University At East Liverpool placed #14 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of East Liverpool, Kent State University At East Liverpool is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kent State University At East Liverpool generally make around $37,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Kent State University At Geauga
Burton, OH

Kent State University At Geauga earned the #15 position for value in general studies this year. Kent State University At Geauga is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Burton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Kent State University At Geauga earn a median of $41,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.

16

Kent State University At Ashtabula
Ashtabula, OH

Kent State University At Ashtabula placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Ashtabula, Kent State University At Ashtabula is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,232. Early-career general studies graduates make about $39,642. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.

17

Kent State University At Tuscarawas
New Philadelphia, OH

Kent State University At Tuscarawas placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Tuscarawas generally make around $36,464. Set against $26,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Ohio State University Marion Campus
Marion, OH

Ohio State University Marion Campus earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Marion Campus generally make around $31,870. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Kent State University At Salem
Salem, OH

Kent State University At Salem placed #19 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Salem, Kent State University At Salem is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,232. General Studies graduates of Kent State University At Salem earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Ohio State University Lima Campus
Lima, OH

Ohio State University Lima Campus placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,870. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $31,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

22

Ohio State University Newark Campus
Newark, OH

Ohio State University Newark Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,870. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. That is a strong return on a $27,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

24

Miami University Hamilton
Hamilton, OH

Miami University Hamilton placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $37,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Hocking College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $16,293. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,713. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt.