2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Ohio
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Leading the list is Cuyahoga Community College District, our #1 best value for liberal arts in Ohio. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $28,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Central State College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,236. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,060. Liberal Arts graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $26,257 early in their careers. Set against $12,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,086. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,082 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $13,082 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,338. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $36,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. 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. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $14,200 median debt.
Ohio University Southern Campus came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Ohio University Southern Campus generally make around $35,825. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Lakeland Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,743. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus came in at #11 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Ohio University Lancaster Campus generally make around $35,825. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Edison State Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Students borrow a median of $12,400 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $33,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chillicothe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,825. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Zane State College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $35,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark State Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,260 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,049. Set against $14,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $45,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $31,462. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $31,462. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Ohio Technical College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, while out-of-state students pay about $8,016. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,708 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Central Ohio Technical College generally make around $47,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Wayne College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Students borrow a median of $23,112 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Akron Wayne College generally make around $31,901. That is a strong return on a $23,112 median debt. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Gateway Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,225, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,052. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern State Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,912, with out-of-state students paying around $10,818. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southern State Community College generally make around $29,137. That is a strong return on a $10,993 median debt.
Kent State University At Geauga placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Kent State University At Geauga is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Burton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $26,232. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Kent State University At Geauga generally make around $41,856. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
Youngstown State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northwest State Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Archbold. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, compared with $9,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. Set against $8,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
