It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top Ohio Colleges for an Associate ranking - to help you make that decision.
We analyzed 51 colleges and universities across Ohio to determine which ones have the best associate 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
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. While associate degree recipients from schools in Ohio earn an average starting salary of $41,408, those from the top 23 school on this list made an average of $44,520.
Starting Salary ( 37329 to 52170 )
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Ohio have accumulated an average of $15,004 in student debt.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
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 associate 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 2025 rankings named University of Northwestern Ohio the best school in Ohio in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. Located in Lima, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 996 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from University of Northwestern Ohio make an average of $42,809 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $21,926.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 in Ohio on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from UC go into careers with an average salary of $44,750 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,268 in student loans.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Herzing University - Akron. The school came in at #3 in Ohio on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 109 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Herzing Akron make an average of $44,881 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,470 in student loans.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Akron Main Campus. The school came in at #4 in Ohio on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Akron, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 393 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from University of Akron Main Campus make an average of $44,308 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $19,367 in student loans.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cuyahoga Community College District. It ranked #5 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,352 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College District is $40,413 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,769.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Cincinnati State is a medium-sized public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 1,009 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Cincinnati State is $48,116 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $14,335 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #7, Kent State University at Stark did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Kent State University at Stark is a small public school located in North Canton, Ohio that handed out 2,326 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $34,969 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $19,902 in student loans.
Sinclair Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,094 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Sinclair Community College make an average of $42,333 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,266 in student loans.
Columbus State Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,456 students in 2021-2022.
Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Located in Athens, Ohio, the large public school handed out 110 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,594 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $15,679.
Ohio State University - Newark Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. This small public school is located in Newark, Ohio, and it awarded 442 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $31,870 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $15,919 in student loans.
Marion Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Marion, Ohio, the small public school awarded 278 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from MTC make an average of $50,657 per year during the early years of their career.
Kent State University at Trumbull ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Kent State University at Trumbull is a small public school situated in Warren, Ohio. It awarded 161 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Kent State University at Trumbull go into careers with an average salary of $36,675 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $19,902.
Bryant & Stratton College - Parma ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Located in Parma, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 143 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $35,825 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $10,647 in student loans.
Central Ohio Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. COTC is a small public school situated in Newark, Ohio. It awarded 344 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from COTC make an average of $57,031 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $14,000 after getting their degree.
University of Rio Grande landed the #16 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Located in Rio Grande, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 298 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from University of Rio Grande go into careers with an average salary of $60,377 during the early years of their career.
Lorain County Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Elyria, Ohio, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,351 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $45,120 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,157 after getting their degree.
North Central State College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #18. North Central State College is located in Mansfield, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 354 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from North Central State College go into careers with an average salary of $50,725 during the early years of their career.
Kent State University at Geauga did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #19. This small public school is located in Burton, Ohio, and it awarded 177 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Kent State University at Geauga make an average of $46,008 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $16,770 after getting their degree.
With a ranking of #20, Owens Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. This medium-sized public school is located in Perrysburg, Ohio, and it awarded 1,046 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Owens State Community College is $49,052 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $8,704 after getting their degree.
University of Toledo ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. University of Toledo is located in Toledo, Ohio and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 87 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
James A Rhodes State College landed the #22 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. This small public school is located in Lima, Ohio, and it awarded 301 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Rhodes State College make an average of $52,809 per year during the early years of their career.
Clark State Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Springfield, Ohio, the small public school awarded 549 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $49,518 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,293 in student loans.
With a ranking of #24, Kent State University at Ashtabula did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Kent State University at Ashtabula is located in Ashtabula, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 192 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from Kent State University at Ashtabula go into careers with an average salary of $44,255 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $17,846.
Ohio State University - Mansfield Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Mansfield, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 130 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Ohio State University - Mansfield Campus go into careers with an average salary of $31,870 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $15,919 in student loans.
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%.
