The Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio That Actually Graduate Their Students
Youngstown State University offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Ohio, graduating 53% of students within six years at $6,562 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Ohio’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youngstown State University | Youngstown | 53% | $6,562 | $6,742 | 21 |
| 2 | Ohio University-Main Campus | Athens | 66% | $9,720 | $17,712 | 24 |
| 3 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus | 88% | $12,997 | $39,598 | 30 |
| 4 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus | Bowling Green | 63% | $10,291 | $16,283 | 22 |
| 5 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron | 53% | $9,067 | $14,573 | 22 |
| 6 | Kent State University at Kent | Kent | 65% | $12,071 | $22,522 | 21 |
| 7 | Miami University-Oxford | Oxford | 82% | $15,638 | $34,940 | 28 |
| 8 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati | 72% | $14,902 | $26,644 | 26 |
| 9 | Shawnee State University | Portsmouth | 49% | $10,206 | $18,712 | N/A |
| 10 | Cleveland State University | Cleveland | 49% | $10,863 | $18,438 | 19 |
1. Youngstown State University
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown State University graduates 53% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,562 per year. Out-of-state students pay $6,742. Median ACT: 21.
2. Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, Ohio
Ohio University-Main Campus graduates 66% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,720 per year. Out-of-state students pay $17,712. Median ACT: 24.
3. Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University-Main Campus graduates 88% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,997 per year. Out-of-state students pay $39,598. Median ACT: 30.
4. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Bowling Green, Ohio
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus graduates 63% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,291 per year. Out-of-state students pay $16,283. Median ACT: 22.
5. University of Akron Main Campus
Akron, Ohio
University of Akron Main Campus graduates 53% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,067 per year. Out-of-state students pay $14,573. Median ACT: 22.
6. Kent State University at Kent
Kent, Ohio
Kent State University at Kent graduates 65% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,071 per year. Out-of-state students pay $22,522. Median ACT: 21.
7. Miami University-Oxford
Oxford, Ohio
Miami University-Oxford graduates 82% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $15,638 per year. Out-of-state students pay $34,940. Median ACT: 28.
8. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates 72% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,902 per year. Out-of-state students pay $26,644. Median ACT: 26.
9. Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, Ohio
Shawnee State University graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,206 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,712. Open admissions policy — no test scores required.
10. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland State University graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,863 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,438. Median ACT: 19.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Ohio by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 44 qualifying public institutions in Ohio.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
