2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Ohio
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranks #1 of 93 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Ohio ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 41% six-year graduation rate and $58,785 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Ohio, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **93** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 93 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Top 25 Colleges in Ohio
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus leads the 93 ranked colleges in Ohio, followed by Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (#2) and The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Ohio. Located in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,659. Graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Wooster, OH, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,584, with out-of-state students paying around $36,362. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute graduates report median early-career earnings of $34,898. The median student debt is $12,286.
Out of the 93 colleges in Ohio in this year's ranking, The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cincinnati, OH. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,568. Median early-career earnings reach $62,532. Students borrow a median of $33,202 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #4 makes Ohio State University Newark Campus one of the top colleges in Ohio. This public school is set in Newark, OH. Ohio State University Newark Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 3%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Median early-career earnings reach $35,090. Ohio State University Newark Campus students take on a median of $22,056 in debt.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the top colleges in Ohio. This public school is set in Athens, OH. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $49,736. The median student debt is $24,546.
Franklin University landed the #6 spot in Ohio this year. Located in Columbus, OH, Franklin University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 3% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,577 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,471. Typical student debt is $35,890.
The University Of Findlay landed the #7 spot in Ohio this year. Set in Findlay, OH, The University Of Findlay is a private not-for-profit institution. The University Of Findlay posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,164. Median early-career earnings reach $57,676. The University Of Findlay students take on a median of $25,759 in debt.
Kettering College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Kettering, OH, Kettering College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,320. Median early-career earnings reach $75,573. The median student debt is $32,543.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Batavia, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,221 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,017 to complete a degree here.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #10 among the best colleges in Ohio. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a public school based in Blue Ash, OH. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,936 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $19,408 in student loans.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Akron, OH. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,045. University Of Akron Main Campus students take on a median of $25,347 in debt.
Columbus State Community College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Columbus, OH, Columbus State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. The median student debt is $9,041.
Mercy College Of Ohio did well this year, earning the #13 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Toledo, OH. Mercy College Of Ohio graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,345. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Mercy College Of Ohio students take on a median of $32,128 in debt.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Steubenville, OH. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,020. Graduates carry a median of $25,029 in student loans.
Ashland University landed the #15 spot in Ohio this year. Set in Ashland, OH, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Ashland University graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,210. Median early-career earnings reach $48,852. Typical student debt is $24,536.
Good Samaritan College Of Nursing And Health Science ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cincinnati, OH. Students from in state pay about $15,470 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $68,409. Graduates carry a median of $27,968 in student loans.
University Of Toledo ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Toledo, OH, University Of Toledo is a public institution. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. University Of Toledo graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,675. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete a degree here.
Ohio State University Marion Campus came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Marion, OH, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a public institution. Roughly 11% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Ohio State University Marion Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $34,786. Ohio State University Marion Campus students take on a median of $22,201 in debt.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #19 among the best colleges in Ohio. Located in Mount Vernon, OH, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Early-career graduates earn a median of $53,377. Mount Vernon Nazarene University students take on a median of $26,602 in debt.
Ohio State University Mansfield Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Mansfield, OH. About 6% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,030. The median student debt is $22,297.
University Of Northwestern Ohio came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lima, OH. University Of Northwestern Ohio posts a six-year graduation rate of 32%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,366. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,784. Typical student debt is $23,805.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Hamilton, OH, Miami University Hamilton is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,240. Typical student debt is $23,657.
Kent State University At Stark did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in North Canton, OH, Kent State University At Stark is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 1%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $39,591. Graduates carry a median of $25,301 in student loans.
Ohio State University Lima Campus came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Lima, OH, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Lima Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 14%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,700 early in their careers. Ohio State University Lima Campus students take on a median of $22,506 in debt.
Youngstown State University landed the #25 spot in Ohio this year. This public school is set in Youngstown, OH. Youngstown State University graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Youngstown State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,025. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete a degree here.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Colleges in Ohio
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 93 in Ohio. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
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Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
