2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Ohio
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Cuyahoga Community College District tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $28,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Lorain County Community College, which ranked #2. 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 / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,060 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $26,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $15,338 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences & humanities. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $28,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Central State College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Columbus State Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,082 in student loans. 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 earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,812 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $51,927. That is a strong return on a $12,812 median debt.
Stark State College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $14,200 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,458. That is a strong return on a $14,200 median debt.
Lakeland Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,743. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of $35,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,614. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public school located in the rural area of Orrville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Median earnings reach $46,600 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Edison State Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,400 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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. Students borrow a median of $24,614 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $35,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Belmont College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $7,200. Students borrow a median of $20,524 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $58,414. Set against $20,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $21,024. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,847. Set against $21,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Stark came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $26,232. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $35,764. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Ohio State University Marion Campus earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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.
Southern State Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,818. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,137. That is a strong return on a $10,993 median debt.
Gods Bible School And College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Gods Bible School And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,710 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,722. Gods Bible School And College admits about 75% of applicants.
Kent State University At Trumbull ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Warren, Kent State University At Trumbull 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 / sciences & humanities graduates is $26,232. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kent State University At Trumbull generally make around $38,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Middletown ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Miami University Middletown earn a median of $37,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $37,494. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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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 · 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.
