2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Ohio
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $28,760 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,060 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $26,257 early in their careers. Set against $12,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #3. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,338. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $36,647. Set against $15,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,086. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,200. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Ohio University Lancaster Campus generally make around $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,825. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Columbus State Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,082 to complete the liberal arts program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,743. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
University Of Akron Wayne College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,600 ten years after entry. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.
Edison State Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,400 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $33,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Belmont College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, with out-of-state students paying around $7,200. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $20,524 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $58,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $16,291. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $45,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Zane State College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern State Community College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,912, with out-of-state students paying around $10,818. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southern State Community College generally make around $29,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Hamilton landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $24,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $37,494 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Geauga earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Burton, Kent State University At Geauga 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 liberal arts graduates is $26,232. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Kent State University At Geauga generally make around $41,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Middletown placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $24,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Miami University Middletown earn a median of $37,494 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt.
Clark State Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,260. Liberal Arts graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $24,049 early in their careers. Set against $14,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $31,492. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,078 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,376. That is a strong return on a $27,078 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Northwest State Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Archbold. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, compared with $9,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. Set against $8,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $31,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
