2026 Best Value Value Schools in Ohio
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Ohio State University Main Campus the best value for a degree in value in Ohio. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,887 in student loans. Value graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,294 early in their careers. Set against $21,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #2 makes Wright State University Main Campus one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $47,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $45,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Toledo, which ranked #4. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,923. Value graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Kent State University At Kent one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,174. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $66,131. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $55,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Value graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Value graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,119 early in their careers. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin University earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Typical student debt for value graduates is $35,890. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $63,922. Set against $35,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,530. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford placed #10 among the best values for value. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Value graduates carry a median of $25,731 in student loans. Value graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $45,278 early in their careers. Set against $25,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
