2026 Best Value Value Schools in Ohio
[Value](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/human-centered-technology-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Kent State University At Kent, our #1 best value for value in Ohio. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,000. Value graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $63,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Franklin University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $9,577. Typical student debt for value graduates is $39,352. Value graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $63,310 early in their careers. Set against $39,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,203. Value graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $80,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
