Rankings / By State
Best Biology Colleges in Ohio
- 47
- Schools
- $55,545
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,975
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,382
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 47 schools run from $39,596 to $87,989, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Ohio University-Eastern Campus delivers the most for the money: roughly $52,581 in median earnings against $3,925 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Ohio University-Eastern Campus ($3,925 net price), still posts $52,581 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Ohio State University-Main Campus graduates 88% of its students, versus a 58% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Kenyon College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.26× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Ohio University-Eastern Campus costs $3,925 a year and Case Western Reserve University costs $41,190. Yet their graduates earn $52,581 and $87,989, nowhere near the $37,265 price gap.
- On value, Ohio University-Eastern Campus beats Case Western Reserve University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Ohio State University-Main Campus finishes 88% of students while University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College finishes 16%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Ohio University-Eastern Campus and Ohio State University-Main Campus. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $54K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Case Western Reserve University #1 overall | $87,989 ▲ +58% vs avg | $41,190 | 87% | 80 |
| 2 The College of Wooster #2 overall | $59,629 ▲ +7% vs avg | $23,458 | 74% | 78 |
| 3 Kenyon College #3 overall | $71,830 ▲ +29% vs avg | $38,512 | 84% | 77 |
| $55,624 ▲ +0% vs avg | $20,897 | 60% | 74 | |
| $53,313 ▼ -4% vs avg | $19,237 | 68% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Biology Colleges in Ohio
This analysis ranks 47 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $55,545 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $21,975.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Ohio University-Eastern Campus — Net Price: $3,925 | Graduation Rate: 20%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Ohio State University-Main Campus — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Case Western Reserve University — Median alumni earnings: $87,989
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Ohio Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Ohio?
$54,122
Median earnings (10yr)
60%
Median graduation rate
$20,961
Median net price
1.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Ohio, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 47 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $54,122 ten years after they first enrolled, about $6,122 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 60%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $20,961 a year, with about $25,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 27% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.0%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Ohio pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $20,961 and median earnings of $54,122 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Case Western Reserve University lands at #1 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $87,989 a decade after enrolling, 58% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,190 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
The College of Wooster lands at #2 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $59,629 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,458 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Kenyon College lands at #3 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $71,830 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,512 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Ohio Wesleyan University lands at #4 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $55,624 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,897 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Otterbein University lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $53,313 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,237 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Denison University lands at #6 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $67,753 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,007 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Oberlin College lands at #7 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $58,343 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,645 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
John Carroll University lands at #8 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $62,860 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,746 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Ohio Northern University lands at #9 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $80,928 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,478 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Hiram College lands at #10 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,311 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,058 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Dayton lands at #11 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $75,537 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,533 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Ashland University lands at #12 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $52,928 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,988 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Walsh University lands at #13 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $59,764 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,493 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Wittenberg University lands at #14 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $54,947 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,649 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
University of Mount Union lands at #15 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,217 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,280 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Mount Vernon Nazarene University lands at #16 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $49,555 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,421 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of Toledo lands at #17 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $50,632 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,249 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Cedarville University lands at #18 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $55,443 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,468 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Marietta College lands at #19 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $57,180 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,083 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Muskingum University lands at #20 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $48,440 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,532 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Youngstown State University lands at #21 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $41,544 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,767 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Malone University lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,909 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,948 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Cleveland State University lands at #23 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,131 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,764 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Capital University lands at #24 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $54,143 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,576 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Baldwin Wallace University lands at #25 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $54,122 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,603 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Xavier University lands at #26 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $64,873 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,997 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Ohio Dominican University lands at #27 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $51,748 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,079 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Ohio State University-Main Campus lands at #28 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $60,409 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,339 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Lake Erie College lands at #29 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $50,417 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,961 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Bluffton University lands at #30 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $49,547 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,943 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Wilmington College lands at #31 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $48,491 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,153 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Heidelberg University lands at #32 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $48,466 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,556 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Defiance College lands at #33 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $49,351 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,337 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Shawnee State University lands at #34 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $39,596 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,381 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Miami University-Oxford lands at #35 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $55,076 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,384 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Mount St. Joseph University lands at #36 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,509 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,530 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Ohio University-Main Campus lands at #37 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,581 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,637 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Miami University-Hamilton lands at #38 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,076 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,286 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Ohio State University-Lima Campus lands at #39 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (34/100). Graduates earn a median $60,409 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,940 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Ohio State University-Marion Campus lands at #40 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $60,409 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,488 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cincinnati, OH · 85% accepted · $25,648 net
Why it ranks #41
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus lands at #41 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,810 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,648 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Wright State University-Main Campus lands at #42 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $49,500 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,415 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Kent State University at Kent lands at #43 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $45,388 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,787 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Bowling Green, OH · 81% accepted · $24,022 net
Why it ranks #44
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus lands at #44 with a 56/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $47,896 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,022 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
University of Akron Main Campus lands at #45 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $46,600 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,946 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College lands at #46 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $54,810 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,508 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Ohio University-Eastern Campus lands at #47 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (17/100). Graduates earn a median $52,581 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,925 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 47 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
If you're considering a degree in biology in Ohio, you're looking at a range of schools that vary widely in their outcomes. These institutions share a commitment to preparing students for careers in science, medicine, and research, with the potential for solid earnings after graduation. For instance, graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn an impressive average of $87,989.
The best biology programs in Ohio stand out for their strong graduation rates, earning potential, and manageable student debt. High completion rates indicate that students are not only enrolling but also succeeding in their studies. The schools listed below show how different factors like earnings, graduation rates, and average debt can shape your decision.
Take Case Western Reserve University and Ohio State University as examples. While both have excellent graduation rates—87% and 88%, respectively—Case Western's graduates earn $87,989 compared to Ohio State's $60,409. This difference highlights the tradeoff between program prestige and affordability that families need to consider as they weigh their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 33 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1%. Case Western Reserve University leads the group at 1.8%, with Ohio Wesleyan University (1.7%) and Shawnee State University (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.3% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Shawnee State University leads at 15.2%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 23.3% across this list. Case Western Reserve University posts the highest success rate at 54.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.60 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Kenyon College reaches 1.83, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing biology programs, one pattern stands out: Case Western Reserve University significantly outperforms others in earnings despite a higher net price of $41,190. In contrast, while Ohio State University graduates earn less, they graduate at a higher rate, suggesting a strong support system. This highlights the balance between earning potential and successful completion.
After reviewing the data, consider your priorities. If high earnings after graduation are essential for your family, Case Western may be the better choice, despite its higher cost. On the other hand, if you value a supportive environment with a high graduation rate and lower debt, Ohio State could be a better fit. Reflect on what matters most to you—location, program fit, campus culture, or financial implications.
The data on biology programs illustrates the importance of thoughtful decision-making as families seek a stable future. Choosing the right college is a critical step on the path to a secure career. For one family, the choice between a high-paying degree and a supportive, affordable program could shape their financial future for years to come.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Biology Colleges in Ohio: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Biology Colleges in Ohio ranking? +
Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Biology Colleges in Ohio ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $87,989 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 87% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Case Western Reserve University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $87,989 ten years after enrollment, well above the $55,545 average across the 47 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Ohio University-Eastern Campus leads: graduates earn a median $52,581 against net price of about $3,925 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Ohio State University-Main Campus has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 58% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $21,975 a year across the 47 ranked schools with cost data. Ohio University-Eastern Campus is among the most affordable at roughly $3,925. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Biology Colleges in Ohio ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 47 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
