2027 Best Value Education Schools in Ohio
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 67 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,564 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $30,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Education graduates carry a median of $20,710 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $30,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #3 place for education. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,129 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $24,950 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Central State College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,236. Education graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Education graduates carry a median of $25,480 in student loans. Education graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $34,983 early in their careers. Set against $25,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus placed #6 among the best values for education. Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chillicothe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,480. Education graduates of Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earn a median of $34,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt.
Stark State College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Education graduates carry a median of $15,957 in student loans. Education graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Southern Campus placed #8 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Education graduates carry a median of $25,480 in student loans. Education graduates of Ohio University Southern Campus earn a median of $34,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt.
Owens Community College came in at #9 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $22,645 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Marion Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,216 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Ohio State University Marion Campus earn a median of $36,486 early in their careers. Set against $24,216 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University placed #11 among the best values for education. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,417 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $34,219. Set against $27,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio State University Lima Campus landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Lima. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,216 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $36,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $29,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
Central State University came in at #14 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,058. Education graduates carry a median of $31,318 in student loans. Education graduates of Central State University earn a median of $27,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Wright State University Lake Campus earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,072. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Wright State University Lake Campus earn a median of $36,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas came in at #16 for value in education this year. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $21,637 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $25,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,973. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $47,572. Set against $23,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Ursuline College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,990. Typical student debt for education graduates is $35,000. Early-career education graduates make about $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $47,076. That is a strong return on a $26,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #20 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Education graduates carry a median of $26,835 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Ohio State University Newark Campus placed #21 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Newark, Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Education graduates carry a median of $24,216 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $36,487. That is a strong return on a $24,216 median debt.
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute came in at #22 for value in education this year. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Wooster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,584, while out-of-state students pay about $36,362. Students borrow a median of $12,286 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earn a median of $34,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Education graduates carry a median of $26,120 in student loans. Education graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $42,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,120 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $21,616 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $29,867. Set against $21,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Mount St Joseph earned the #25 position for value in education this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,343. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $43,888. That is a strong return on a $28,343 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
