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2024 Best Grad Schools in Ohio for Doctorate Degrees

26 Colleges
$67,351 Avg Salary

With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a grad degree. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top Ohio Colleges for a Doctorate ranking - to help you make that decision.

What's on This Page: * Our Methodology

Your Choice of Grad School Matters

We analyzed 26 grad schools across Ohio to determine which have the best doctorate degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best grad schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with a doctorate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a doctorate degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Student Loan Borrowing

In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that graduate students take on while pursuing their doctorate degree. The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.

Additional Ranking Factors We Use

Our Best Doctorate 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.

To learn more, visit our graduate school ranking methodology page.

Custom Rankings

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You may also want to narrow this list by location to find the best doctorate degree schools nearest you. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

Not quite ready to work on your doctorate? Check out our Best Master's Degree Schools ranking.

Top Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio

Learn more about these excellent grad schools below:

1
674 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$74,781 Average Early-Career Earnings

Our 2024 rankings named Case Western Reserve University the best grad school in Ohio in terms of overall quality for students working on their doctorate degree. Case Western is located in Cleveland, Ohio and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 674 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average salary of a graduate with a doctorate degree from Case Western is $74,781 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Case Western Reserve University

2
1,723 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$76,057 Average Early-Career Earnings

The excellent doctorate 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. Located in Columbus, Ohio, the large public school awarded 1,723 diplomas to qualifed doctorate degree students in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a doctorate degree from Ohio State make an average of $76,057 per year during the early years of their career.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Report

3
9 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$66,495 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Union Institute & University. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Union is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Upon graduation, doctorate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $66,495 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Union Institute & University

4
69 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Miami University - Oxford. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Miami University - Oxford

5
787 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$64,791 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 26 doctorate degree schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. This large public school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 787 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, doctorate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $64,791 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Report

6
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio
5 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

Otterbein University landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Otterbein University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Westerville, Ohio that handed out 5 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Otterbein University Report

7
122 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$54,448 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Dayton ranked #7 on this year’s Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio list. UDayton is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 122 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a doctorate degree from UDayton go into careers with an average salary of $54,448 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Dayton Report

8
143 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$79,749 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #8, The University of Findlay did quite well on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Findlay is located in Findlay, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 143 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Those who receive a doctorate degree from Findlay go into careers with an average salary of $79,749 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About The University of Findlay

9
154 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$73,213 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #9, Ohio Northern University did quite well on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Ohio Northern University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Ada, Ohio that handed out 154 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a doctorate degree from ONU make an average of $73,213 per year during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Ohio Northern University

10
Xavier crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, Ohio
35 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$63,728 Average Early-Career Earnings

Xavier University did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 35 diplomas to qualifed doctorate degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from Xavier make an average of $63,728 a year.

Read full report on Xavier University

11
Cedarville crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, Ohio
45 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$83,280 Average Early-Career Earnings

Cedarville University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Cedarville is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedarville, Ohio. It awarded 45 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a doctorate degree from Cedarville make an average of $83,280 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Cedarville University

12
72 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$64,112 Average Early-Career Earnings

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #12. This fairly large public school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 72 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a doctorate degree from BGSU is $64,112 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

13
411 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$66,115 Average Early-Career Earnings

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a large public school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 411 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from OHIO Athens make an average of $66,115 a year.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Report

14
518 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$68,587 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #14, University of Toledo did quite well on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio list. University of Toledo is a public institution located in Toledo, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 518 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a doctorate degree from University of Toledo go into careers with an average salary of $68,587 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Toledo Report

15
242 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$61,237 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #15, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio list. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 242 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from Kent State make an average of $61,237 a year.

Read full report on Kent State University at Kent

16
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio
38 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

Ashland University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Ashland is located in Ashland, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Full Ashland University Report

17
Walsh crest
Walsh University
North Canton, Ohio
37 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$68,343 Average Early-Career Earnings

Walsh University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Walsh is a private not-for-profit institution located in North Canton, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a doctorate degree from Walsh go into careers with an average salary of $68,343 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Walsh University

18
Antioch University McGregor crest
Antioch University - Midwest
Yellow Springs, Ohio
26 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$55,565 Average Early-Career Earnings

Antioch University - Midwest came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Antioch University McGregor is a private not-for-profit institution located in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a doctorate degree from Antioch University McGregor make an average of $55,565 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Antioch University - Midwest

19
194 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$57,581 Average Early-Career Earnings

Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #19. Wright State University - Main Campus is a medium-sized public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 194 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, doctorate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $57,581 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Wright State University - Main Campus

20
271 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$58,730 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #20. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate degrees to 271 students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from University of Akron Main Campus make an average of $58,730 a year.

Read full report on University of Akron Main Campus

21
28 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

With a ranking of #21, University of Mount Union did quite well on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio list. University of Mount Union is a small private not-for-profit school located in Alliance, Ohio that handed out 28 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Mount Union

22
Lourdes crest
Lourdes University
Sylvania, Ohio
16 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

Lourdes University landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Lourdes is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sylvania, Ohio. It awarded 16 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Lourdes University

23
46 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$68,240 Average Early-Career Earnings

Youngstown State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 46 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a doctorate degree from Youngstown State University is $68,240 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Youngstown State University

24
Capital crest
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio
121 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$50,882 Average Early-Career Earnings

Capital University did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking, coming in at #24. Capital is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 121 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from Capital make an average of $50,882 a year.

Learn More About Capital University

25
205 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$55,190 Average Early-Career Earnings

Cleveland State University landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in Ohio ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 205 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from Cleveland State University make an average of $55,190 a year.

Learn More About Cleveland State University

Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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