2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Ohio
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
For return on investment in general education, no school beat North Central State College this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Stark State College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $15,957 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $15,957 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general education. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,053. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central State University earned it the #4 place for general education. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,058, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,318. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $27,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $77,366. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,836. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,273. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Muskingum University placed #8 among the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,701. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,932 in student loans. General Education graduates of Muskingum University earn a median of $39,918 early in their careers. Set against $26,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bluffton University came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Located in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,362. General Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Walsh University earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $33,030 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,064 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Walsh University admits about 71% of applicants.
Lake Erie College placed #11 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Painesville, Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,634. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $65,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lake Erie College admits about 70% of applicants.
Wilmington College landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Wilmington, Wilmington College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,082 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Wilmington College generally make around $37,015. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin University landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,577 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Findlay came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,164. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,759. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $49,309. Set against $25,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
John Carroll University came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,500. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. General Education graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of $37,978 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. John Carroll University admits about 81% of applicants.
Denison University placed #16 among the best values for general education. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,360. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
More General Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
