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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Studies Schools in Ohio

15 Colleges in the United States
2,352 General Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,761 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general studies programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 56 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Studies in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in Ohio.

Top Schools in General Studies

1
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

No school ranked higher than Ashland University this year for general studies. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Ashland. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 general studies degrees were awarded at Ashland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $48,852. Ashland University graduates carry a median of $3,008 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Ashland University

2

University Of Toledo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #2. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Toledo awarded about 81 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $52,675 in their early career. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $39,961 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for University Of Toledo

3

Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Steubenville. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $43,602 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,199 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Franciscan University Of Steubenville

4

Kent State University At Kent came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 89 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $38,087. Typical student debt for the program is $26,232. See the full general studies program report for Kent State University At Kent

5

Ohio State University Newark Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. Ohio State University Newark Campus awarded about 355 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,870 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. See the full general studies program report for Ohio State University Newark Campus

6

Mount Vernon Nazarene University earned the #6 position for general studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Mount Vernon. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Mount Vernon Nazarene University awarded about 17 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for Mount Vernon Nazarene University

7

Sinclair Community College earned the #7 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 41 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,086. Sinclair Community College graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Sinclair Community College

8

Marion Technical College came in at #8 for general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Marion. There were roughly 90 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Marion Technical College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $51,927 early in their careers. Marion Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,812 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Marion Technical College

9

Ohio State University Mansfield Campus placed #9 among the best general studies schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Mansfield. Ohio State University Mansfield Campus graduates 6% of students within six years. There were roughly 146 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Mansfield Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Ohio State University Mansfield Campus earn around $31,870 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Ohio State University Mansfield Campus

10

Ohio State University Marion Campus landed the #10 spot for general studies this year. Set in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public institution. About 11% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Marion Campus awarded about 121 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,870 in their early career. Ohio State University Marion Campus graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Ohio State University Marion Campus

11

The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 10 general studies degrees were awarded at The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences earn around $62,532 in the first couple years of their career. The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences graduates carry a median of $33,202 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences

12

Ohio State University Lima Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Lima. Ohio State University Lima Campus graduates 14% of students within six years. Ohio State University Lima Campus awarded about 58 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,870 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. See the full general studies program report for Ohio State University Lima Campus

13
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College came in at #13 for general studies this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. Owens Community College awarded about 406 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $33,847. Typical student debt for the program is $21,024. More information about a degree in general studies from Owens Community College

14

Youngstown State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Youngstown State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 135 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Youngstown State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $31,492. Youngstown State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Youngstown State University

15
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. There were roughly 291 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Stark State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $34,458 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,200 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Stark State College

16

Washington State Community College came in at #16 for general studies this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. There were roughly 10 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Washington State Community College earn around $45,305 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Washington State Community College

17

Miami University Hamilton ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Hamilton. Miami University Hamilton graduates 24% of students within six years. Miami University Hamilton awarded about 47 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $37,494 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the general studies program at Miami University Hamilton

18
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Hocking College placed #18 among the best general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. Hocking College awarded about 51 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $37,713 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Hocking College

19

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #19 spot for general studies this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. There were roughly 191 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $31,462. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College

20

Shawnee State University placed #20 among the best general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Portsmouth. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Shawnee State University awarded about 16 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,233. More information about a degree in general studies from Shawnee State University

21

University Of Rio Grande came in at #21 for general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Rio Grande, University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 36% of students finish within six years. University Of Rio Grande awarded about 30 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Rio Grande earn a median of $46,611 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,044 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Rio Grande

22

James A Rhodes State College earned the #22 position for general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. About 12 general studies degrees were awarded at James A Rhodes State College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of James A Rhodes State College earn a median of $47,074 early in their careers. James A Rhodes State College graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for James A Rhodes State College

23

Miami University Middletown landed the #23 spot for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public institution. Miami University Middletown graduates 30% of students within six years. Miami University Middletown awarded about 26 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Miami University Middletown generally make around $37,494. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the general studies program at Miami University Middletown

24

Gods Bible School And College earned the #24 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Gods Bible School And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 16 general studies degrees were awarded at Gods Bible School And College in the most recent year. See the full general studies program report for Gods Bible School And College

25

Ohio Christian University placed #25 among the best general studies schools. Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Circleville. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 38 general studies degrees were awarded at Ohio Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ohio Christian University generally make around $45,829. Students borrow a median of $28,046 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Ohio Christian University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 56 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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