2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Ohio

1

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.

2

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $28,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

3

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,322 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,648. That is a strong return on a $22,322 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

4

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State University earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,860 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,230. Set against $25,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

5

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,048. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $28,266. That is a strong return on a $26,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

6

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,839 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $26,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,839 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

7

Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,940. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wittenberg University generally make around $40,093. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,586. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

9

Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH

Shawnee State University earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $32,250. Social Sciences graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. Set against $32,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,538 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

11

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $42,685. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,773 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $44,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,773 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

13

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,248. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,800. Social Sciences graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $27,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,800 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

15

Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Students borrow a median of $26,738 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $44,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

16

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,937. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $50,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

17

Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,248 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,149. Set against $26,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

18

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $57,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

19

Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,029. Social Sciences graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

20

The College Of Wooster
Wooster, OH

The College Of Wooster placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,971. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

21

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,301. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $49,015. That is a strong return on a $25,301 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

22

John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,500. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $34,824. That is a strong return on a $25,701 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

23

Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,520 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,569 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $51,406. Set against $18,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.

24

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,671. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

25

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University landed the #25 spot for social sciences value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,590 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $41,710. Set against $26,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.