2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Ohio

1

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Our analysis ranked Xavier University the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $47,064 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Xavier University

2

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 14 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $32,604 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,784 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

3

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

A rank of #3 makes Columbus State Community College one of the top schools for liberal arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 1,083 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Columbus State Community College in the most recent year. Columbus State Community College graduates carry a median of $13,082 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Columbus State Community College

4

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

A rank of #4 makes University Of Toledo one of the top schools for liberal arts. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Typical student debt for the program is $39,961. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Toledo

5

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Akron. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Akron Main Campus awarded about 474 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $28,376. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,078 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Akron Main Campus

6

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District placed #6 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 2,169 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $28,760. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Cuyahoga Community College District

7

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. About 235 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $28,086 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500. See the full liberal arts program report for Sinclair Community College

8

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 100 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Ohio University Main Campus

9

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 296 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn around $36,647 in the first couple years of their career. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $15,338 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Cincinnati State Technical And Community College

10

Northwest State Community College
Archbold, OH

Northwest State Community College earned the #10 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 41 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwest State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Northwest State Community College earn around $45,123 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Northwest State Community College

11

Lakeland Community College
Kirtland, OH

Lakeland Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts this year. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. There were roughly 413 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lakeland Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $31,743 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000. Get the full liberal arts details for Lakeland Community College

12

Antioch University Midwest
Yellow Springs, OH

Antioch University Midwest came in at #12 for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Yellow Springs, Antioch University Midwest is a small private not-for-profit university. Antioch University Midwest awarded about 14 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $46,487 in their early career. Antioch University Midwest graduates carry a median of $29,832 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Antioch University Midwest

13

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH

Lorain County Community College earned the #13 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 685 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lorain County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,257 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,060 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Lorain County Community College

14

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $26,004. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

15

Bowling Green State University Firelands
Huron, OH

Bowling Green State University Firelands placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. Bowling Green State University Firelands is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Huron. Bowling Green State University Firelands awarded about 350 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Bowling Green State University Firelands earn around $23,388 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Get the full liberal arts details for Bowling Green State University Firelands

16

Central Ohio Technical College
Newark, OH

Central Ohio Technical College placed #16 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 15 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Central Ohio Technical College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Ohio Technical College earn a median of $47,021 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,708 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Central Ohio Technical College

17

Edison State Community College
Piqua, OH

Edison State Community College came in at #17 for liberal arts this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Edison State Community College awarded about 205 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $33,756 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,400 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Edison State Community College

18

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Youngstown State University awarded about 53 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $31,492. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full liberal arts details for Youngstown State University

19

North Central State College
Mansfield, OH

North Central State College earned the #19 position for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mansfield. There were roughly 11 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at North Central State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from North Central State College earn around $47,458 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from North Central State College

20

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

Washington State Community College earned the #20 position for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Marietta. Washington State Community College awarded about 26 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,291. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Washington State Community College

21

Miami University Hamilton
Hamilton, OH

Miami University Hamilton placed #21 among the best liberal arts schools. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. About 24% of students finish within six years. Miami University Hamilton awarded about 33 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $37,494. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Miami University Hamilton

22

Clark State Community College
Springfield, OH

Clark State Community College earned the #22 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 264 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Clark State Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $24,049 in their early career. Clark State Community College graduates carry a median of $14,260 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Clark State Community College

23

Southern State Community College
Hillsboro, OH

Southern State Community College placed #23 among the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hillsboro. There were roughly 135 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Southern State Community College earn around $29,137 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Southern State Community College

24

Miami University Middletown
Middletown, OH

Miami University Middletown landed the #24 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Middletown in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Miami University Middletown earn around $37,494 in the first couple years of their career. Miami University Middletown graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Miami University Middletown

25

University Of Akron Wayne College
Orrville, OH

University Of Akron Wayne College came in at #25 for liberal arts this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Orrville. There were roughly 52 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Wayne College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Akron Wayne College generally make around $31,901. Students borrow a median of $23,112 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Akron Wayne College