It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in Ohio ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Our analysis looked at 69 schools in Ohio to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Better Early-Career Average Salaries
The average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. While bachelor's degree recipients from schools in Ohio earn an average starting salary of $39,341, those from the top 25 school on this list made an average of $41,800.
Starting Salary ( 30255 to 50880 )
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their bachelor's so we factor that into our rankings as well.
During their time at college, bachelor's degree seekers from schools in Ohio take out an average of $26,852.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
Our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Are you more interested in the top bachelor's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. Also, check out our other college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Our analysis found Case Western Reserve University to be the best school for bachelor’s degrees in Ohio in this year’s ranking. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 1,541 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Case Western go into careers with an average salary of $52,318 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,651 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $458 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Ohio State University - Main Campus helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Ohio. This large public school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 12,018 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State is $41,627 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $23,495 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $274 for a 10-year repayment plan.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Miami University - Oxford. The school came in at #3 in Ohio on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 4,902 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Miami University - Oxford make an average of $42,113 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,512 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $490 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Out of the 69 bachelor’s degree schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. This large public school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 6,500 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UC make an average of $43,027 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,817 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $293.
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in Ohio list means Denison University is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Granville, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 604 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Denison make an average of $33,134 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,133 after getting their degree.
University of Dayton did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #6. UDayton is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 2,123 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $47,511 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,368. This translates to an average monthly payment of $549 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 6,797 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from OHIO Athens is $40,568 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,557 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $348 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Kenyon College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Kenyon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Gambier, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 383 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Kenyon make an average of $35,728 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $17,138 in student loans.
Oberlin College landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Oberlin, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 771 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Oberlin make an average of $31,557 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $23,977 in student loans.
Union Institute & University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #10. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 344 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $79,814 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $31,614 in student loans.
Xavier University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,355 students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Xavier go into careers with an average salary of $42,396 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,348. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $589.
Kent State University at Kent came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,120 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Kent State make an average of $34,014 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,371 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $283 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
John Carroll University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in University Heights, Ohio, and it awarded 747 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $38,672 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,779. Average monthly loan payments are around $434 for a 10-year repayment plan.
University of Toledo did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #14. This fairly large public school is located in Toledo, Ohio, and it awarded 3,236 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from University of Toledo go into careers with an average salary of $42,736 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,848 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $205 for a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #15, The University of Findlay did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio list. Findlay is located in Findlay, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 510 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,667 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,752. This translates to an average monthly payment of $495 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
The College of Wooster came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Wooster College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wooster, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 476 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Wooster College make an average of $28,779 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,891 in student loans.
University of Akron Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,690 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from University of Akron Main Campus is $41,430 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,831. Average monthly loan payments are around $276 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Ursuline College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #18. Pepper Pike, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 217 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Ursuline College is $57,530 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $34,250. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $326.
Otterbein University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Westerville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 621 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Otterbein make an average of $34,665 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,133 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $429.
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio list. BGSU is located in Bowling Green, Ohio and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,148 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from BGSU go into careers with an average salary of $37,378 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,594. This translates to an average monthly payment of $326 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Baldwin Wallace University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Baldwin Wallace College is located in Berea, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 816 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Baldwin Wallace College make an average of $33,799 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $27,250 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $332.
Cedarville University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Cedarville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 763 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Cedarville make an average of $44,438 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,918. Average monthly loan payments are around $314 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Steubenville, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 550 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $33,840 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,448 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $530.
Ohio Northern University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Ada, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 435 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from ONU go into careers with an average salary of $48,311 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,544 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $277.
Tiffin University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #25. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Tiffin, Ohio, and it awarded 422 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Tiffin University make an average of $39,946 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $29,255 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $363 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
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%.