2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Ohio
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,760. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,086. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,060. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $26,257. That is a strong return on a $12,060 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes North Central State College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Marion Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Students borrow a median of $12,812 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $51,927. That is a strong return on a $12,812 median debt.
Columbus State Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $13,082 median debt.
Gods Bible School And College ranked #7 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,710. Median earnings reach $37,722 ten years out. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,338 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,647. That is a strong return on a $15,338 median debt.
Lakeland Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $31,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Stark State College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $34,458. That is a strong return on a $14,200 median debt.
Antioch College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Yellow Springs, Antioch College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,043. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ohio University Southern Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ohio University Southern Campus generally make around $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,400 median debt.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ohio University Zanesville Campus generally make around $35,825. Set against $24,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Clark State Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,260 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Zane State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $35,764 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $45,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,614. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $35,825. That is a strong return on a $24,614 median debt.
Owens Community College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $21,024 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,847. That is a strong return on a $21,024 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Students borrow a median of $17,070 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $47,074. That is a strong return on a $17,070 median debt.
Central Ohio Technical College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Students borrow a median of $10,708 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Ohio Technical College generally make around $47,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Wayne College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Akron Wayne College generally make around $31,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Wayne College admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $31,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
