2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in Ohio. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $60,658. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State University earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Economics graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $44,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Kent State University At Kent, which ranked #4. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $56,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,750. Economics graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $66,237 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The College Of Wooster landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. Students from in state pay about $61,640 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $32,382. Set against $25,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,625. Economics graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $52,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #8 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $21,264 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $68,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,500. Economics graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $57,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Kenyon College came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. Students from in state pay about $71,520 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $18,718. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $58,082. Set against $18,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Oberlin College landed the #11 spot for economics value this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $61,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
Denison University earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,102 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Denison University earn a median of $55,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #13 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,949 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $53,148 early in their careers. Set against $25,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
