2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Ohio
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,086. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $12,060 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,095. That is a strong return on a $12,060 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marion Technical College earned it the #3 place for general studies. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,812 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $51,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. General Studies graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cincinnati State Technical And Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,338. General Studies graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,338 median debt.
Gods Bible School And College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Gods Bible School And College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,710. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,722 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Stark State College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,200. 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.
Owens Community College earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,024. General Studies graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $33,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,024 median debt.
Washington State Community College placed #9 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,074. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $31,462. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
Kent State University At Trumbull came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Kent State University At Trumbull is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warren. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Kent State University At Trumbull earn a median of $38,560 early in their careers. Set against $26,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Stark came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Stark generally make around $37,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At East Liverpool placed #14 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of East Liverpool, Kent State University At East Liverpool is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kent State University At East Liverpool generally make around $37,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Geauga earned the #15 position for value in general studies this year. Kent State University At Geauga is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Burton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,232 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Kent State University At Geauga earn a median of $41,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
Kent State University At Ashtabula placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Ashtabula, Kent State University At Ashtabula is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,232. Early-career general studies graduates make about $39,642. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Tuscarawas generally make around $36,464. Set against $26,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Marion Campus earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Marion Campus generally make around $31,870. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Salem placed #19 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Salem, Kent State University At Salem is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,232. General Studies graduates of Kent State University At Salem earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Lima Campus placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,870. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. 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. General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $31,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio State University Newark Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,870. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. That is a strong return on a $27,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Miami University Hamilton placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $37,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hocking College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $16,293. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,713. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
