2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Ohio
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 56 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuyahoga Community College District the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Ohio. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,760. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,060 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,257. Set against $12,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cincinnati State Technical And Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,338. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $36,647 early in their careers. Set against $15,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,086. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
North Central State College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,236. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $13,082 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $13,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Students borrow a median of $12,812 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $51,927. Set against $12,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $14,200 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $34,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $31,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,614. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
University Of Akron Wayne College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,600. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Edison State Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,499, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,400 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $33,756 early in their careers. Set against $12,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,614. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,291. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Belmont College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $7,200. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,524 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Belmont College earn a median of $58,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,024 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $33,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Stark landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,232 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kent State University At Stark earn a median of $38,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
Zane State College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $35,764. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Marion Campus placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ohio State University Marion Campus earn a median of $31,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Southern State Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,912, compared with $10,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southern State Community College generally make around $29,137. That is a strong return on a $10,993 median debt.
Gods Bible School And College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Gods Bible School And College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,710 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $37,722 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Kent State University At Trumbull placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Warren, Kent State University At Trumbull is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,232. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,087. That is a strong return on a $26,232 median debt.
Miami University Middletown came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Miami University Middletown is a small public school located in the suburb of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
