2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Ohio
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $28,760. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,086. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,060. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at North Central State College, which ranked #4. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,236. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,812. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $51,927. That is a strong return on a $12,812 median debt.
Columbus State Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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 General Studies 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.
Gods Bible School And College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Gods Bible School And College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $7,710 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $37,722 ten years out. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,338 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $31,743 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,200 in student loans. Liberal Arts 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.
Antioch College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Yellow Springs, Antioch College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,043. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ohio University Southern Campus placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,825. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Edison State Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,400 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,756. Set against $12,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville 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 General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,260. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $24,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,260 median debt.
Zane State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,500. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Washington State Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,291. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,614. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $21,024 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,070. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $47,074. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Ohio Technical College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, while out-of-state students pay about $8,016. Students borrow a median of $10,708 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $31,462 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Wayne College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,723 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,403 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,112 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Akron Wayne College earn a median of $31,901 early in their careers. Set against $23,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $31,462. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
