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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Ohio

45 Colleges in the United States
11,269 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$38,200 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts general studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in Ohio

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

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1

Our analysis ranked Ohio State University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 17 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,632 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Ohio State University Main Campus

2
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 62 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Xavier University earn around $47,064 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Xavier University

3

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $32,604 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,784 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

4
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #4. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Ashland University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ashland University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $48,852. Typical student debt for the program is $3,008. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Ashland University

5

Columbus State Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #5. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. About 1,083 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Columbus State Community College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $13,082. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Columbus State Community College

6

University Of Toledo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. About 58% of students finish within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 177 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $39,961. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of Toledo

7

Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #7 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 31 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,602 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,199. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Franciscan University Of Steubenville

8

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #8 position for liberal arts general studies 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 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $28,376 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,078. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of Akron Main Campus

9

Kent State University At Kent placed #9 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 92 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $38,087 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Kent State University At Kent

10

Ohio State University Newark Campus earned the #10 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 3% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Newark Campus awarded about 355 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Newark Campus generally make around $31,870. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Ohio State University Newark Campus

11

Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mount Vernon Nazarene University awarded about 17 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $53,377. Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Mount Vernon Nazarene University

12

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #12 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. There were roughly 2,169 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $28,760 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Cuyahoga Community College District

13

Sinclair Community College earned the #13 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 276 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Sinclair Community College

14

Marion Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 90 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Marion Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $51,927. Marion Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,812 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Marion Technical College

15

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies 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. There were roughly 172 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $35,825. Typical student debt for the program is $24,614. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Ohio University Main Campus

16

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. About 296 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $36,647 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,338 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Cincinnati State Technical And Community College

17

Northwest State Community College came in at #17 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 42 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Northwest State Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Northwest State Community College earn around $45,123 in the first couple years of their career. Northwest State Community College graduates carry a median of $8,730 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Northwest State Community College

18

Lakeland Community College earned the #18 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Kirtland. There were roughly 413 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Lakeland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,743 in their early career. Lakeland Community College graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Lakeland Community College

19

Ohio State University Mansfield Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. About 6% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Mansfield Campus awarded about 146 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,870 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Ohio State University Mansfield Campus

20

Ohio State University Marion Campus came in at #20 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 11%. About 121 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Marion Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,870 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Ohio State University Marion Campus

21

The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences placed #21 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences awarded about 10 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts 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. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences

22
Antioch University Midwest crest
Antioch University Midwest
Yellow Springs, OH

Antioch University Midwest placed #22 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Yellow Springs, Antioch University Midwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 14 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Antioch University Midwest in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Antioch University Midwest generally make around $46,487. Typical student debt for the program is $29,832. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Antioch University Midwest

23

Lorain County Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. About 685 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Lorain County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $26,257 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,060. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Lorain County Community College

24

Ohio State University Lima Campus placed #24 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public university. Ohio State University Lima Campus graduates 14% of students within six years. Ohio State University Lima Campus awarded about 58 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,870 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Ohio State University Lima Campus

25
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. About 406 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Owens Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $33,847 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,024. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Owens Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts general studies this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH
40
Antioch College crest
Antioch College
Yellow Springs, OH
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 91 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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