2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
For return on investment in educational administration, no school beat Ohio State University Marion Campus this year. Located in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Ohio State University Marion Campus generally make around $36,487. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Lima Campus earned it the #3 place for educational administration. Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Ohio State University Lima Campus generally make around $36,487. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Newark Campus earned it the #4 place for educational administration. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,000. Educational Administration graduates of Ohio State University Newark Campus earn a median of $36,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,830. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,836. Educational Administration graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $36,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Ohio State University Mansfield Campus earned the #8 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $36,487. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
University Of Toledo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $49,088. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ohio Dominican University came in at #10 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,720. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $28,166 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $61,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Dominican University admits about 94% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #11 for value in educational administration this year. 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 $25,174 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $54,199 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $51,665. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $75,814 early in their careers. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ashland University came in at #14 for value in educational administration this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $61,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration 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, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,530. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $64,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mount Union came in at #16 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $47,252. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Tiffin University came in at #17 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $49,452. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #18 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,029. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $43,020. Set against $25,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #19 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,307 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $54,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,307 median debt. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,177. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $73,399. Set against $24,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Dayton came in at #21 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $54,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Xavier University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $49,425 in tuition and fees. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $55,045. Set against $26,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
