2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,661 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,717 early in their careers. Set against $13,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned it the #2 place for psychology. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,999 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned it the #3 place for psychology. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. Students from in state pay about $6,639 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,999 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $38,019 early in their careers. Set against $17,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #4 place for psychology. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $16,000. Psychology graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt.
Ohio State University Marion Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,145 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,786. That is a strong return on a $22,145 median debt.
Ohio State University Lima Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,145. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,153. Set against $22,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College earned the #7 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Students borrow a median of $23,441 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $36,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,145. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $91,275. Set against $22,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University landed the #10 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $50,440. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Newark Campus placed #11 among the best values for psychology. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ohio State University Newark Campus generally make around $45,282. Set against $22,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Middletown landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. Miami University Middletown is a small public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,190. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in psychology this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $67,876. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $53,521. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,700 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $66,944. Set against $27,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Toledo ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $27,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Mansfield Campus placed #18 among the best values for psychology. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Students borrow a median of $22,145 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ohio State University Mansfield Campus generally make around $39,030. That is a strong return on a $22,145 median debt.
Marietta College earned the #19 position for value in psychology this year. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $39,652 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Psychology graduates of Marietta College earn a median of $79,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Wittenberg University earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,940. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $40,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Psychology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $58,263 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $30,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central State University placed #23 among the best values for psychology. 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. Students borrow a median of $31,485 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $18,266. Set against $31,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Walsh University landed the #24 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $27,577. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Hiram College earned the #25 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Hiram, Hiram College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,397. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,144 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $48,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hiram College admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
