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2022 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in Ohio

26 Ranked Colleges
1,215 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Economics is the 18th most popular major in the country with 48,831 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across Ohio, there were 1,215 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,560 and $23,710 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in Ohio

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 341 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. It costs about $8,194 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Economics at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#2

Oberlin College

Oberlin, Ohio

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oberlin College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oberlin College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oberlin, Ohio. It awarded 36 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Oberlin has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oberlin is $9,037 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Economics at Oberlin College

#3

Denison University

Granville, Ohio

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Denison University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Granville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Denison also took the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Denison University is $18,990 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Economics at Denison University

#4

Kenyon College

Gambier, Ohio

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Kenyon College landed the #4 spot on the list. Gambier, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

Kenyon also took the #4 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. It costs about $12,582 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kenyon College.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Kenyon

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Miami University - Oxford. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 177 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,759 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Miami University - Oxford Economics Report

Case Western Reserve University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 63 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also made our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $18,708 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Case Western.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Case Western Reserve University Economics Report

#7

The College of Wooster

Wooster, Ohio

The College of Wooster came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wooster College is located in Wooster, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Wooster College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wooster College is $14,942 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Wooster College

#8

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Youngstown State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list. The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $9,069 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at Youngstown State University

Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 9 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wright State University - Main Campus has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. It costs about $13,460 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on Economics at Wright State University - Main Campus

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also made our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,078 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full UC Economics Report

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 26 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

BGSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list. The yearly cost to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $14,521 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at BGSU

Kent State University at Kent landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Kent State also made our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Kent is $13,915 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Kent State Economics Report

#13

John Carroll University

University Heights, Ohio

With a ranking of #13, John Carroll University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in University Heights, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.

John Carroll did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list. The estimated yearly cost for John Carroll is $20,360 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at John Carroll

#13

Wittenberg University

Springfield, Ohio

With a ranking of #13, Wittenberg University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wittenberg University is located in Springfield, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wittenberg, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wittenberg University is $18,379 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at Wittenberg

#15

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Cleveland State University also took the #23 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $14,213 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Cleveland State University Economics Report

#16

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio

University of Dayton came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UDayton, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. It costs about $24,237 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UDayton.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Dayton Economics Report

University of Akron Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 19 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus also made our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $14,816 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at University of Akron Main Campus

#18

Muskingum University

New Concord, Ohio

Muskingum University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Muskingum University is a small school located in New Concord, Ohio that handed out 6 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Muskingum also made our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Muskingum is $15,664 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at Muskingum University

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 101 students in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens also took the #11 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. It costs about $17,584 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus.

Full OHIO Athens Economics Report

#20

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio

University of Toledo came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Toledo is a fairly large school located in Toledo, Ohio that handed out 27 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Toledo is $14,516 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at University of Toledo

#21

Hiram College

Hiram, Ohio

Hiram College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Hiram is a small school located in Hiram, Ohio that handed out 1 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Hiram not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list. It costs about $21,421 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hiram College.

Read full report on Economics at Hiram

#22

Capital University

Columbus, Ohio

Capital University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 3 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Capital has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Capital University is $18,881 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Capital Economics Report

#23

Ohio Wesleyan University

Delaware, Ohio

With a ranking of #23, Ohio Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Delaware, Ohio. It awarded 8 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

OWU also made our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $21,679 for ohio economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio Wesleyan University.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Ohio Wesleyan University

#24

Ohio Dominican University

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio Dominican University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

ODU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” list. It costs about $18,734 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio Dominican University.

Full ODU Economics Report

#25

Ashland University

Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ashland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ashland, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Ohio” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ashland is $15,675 for Ohio Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Ashland

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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