Rankings / By State
Best Communications Colleges in Ohio
- 26
- Schools
- $54,763
- Avg. Earnings
- 60%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,954
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,501
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 26 schools run from $45,388 to $75,537, a 1.7× 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 60% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of Dayton carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.31× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Denison University ($67,753 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Dayton ($75,537), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Ohio University-Eastern Campus costs $3,925 a year and Denison University costs $40,007. Yet their graduates earn $52,581 and $67,753, nowhere near the $36,082 price gap.
- On value, Ohio University-Eastern Campus beats University of Dayton: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Ohio University-Eastern Campus and Ohio State University-Main Campus. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $54K within a decade, and pr specialist roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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 Denison University #1 overall | $67,753 ▲ +24% vs avg | $40,007 | 79% | 73 |
| 2 University of Dayton #2 overall | $75,537 ▲ +38% vs avg | $29,533 | 81% | 73 |
| 3 Marietta College #3 overall | $57,180 ▲ +4% vs avg | $21,083 | 60% | 71 |
| $59,629 ▲ +9% vs avg | $23,458 | 74% | 71 | |
| $55,443 ▲ +1% vs avg | $24,468 | 73% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Communications Colleges in Ohio
This analysis ranks 26 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,763 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 60% and an average net price of $21,954.
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: University of Dayton — Median alumni earnings: $75,537
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$53,728
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$21,071
Median net price
0.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Arts, communications, and humanities programs draw perpetual skepticism about their payoff. Early earnings do start lower, and the path is less linear. The core skills compound, though. Writing, judgment, persuasion, and creative problem-solving gain value over a career, and they are the abilities automation has been slowest to replicate.
Start with the medians across these 26 schools. Graduates earn a median of $53,728 ten years after enrollment, or about $5,728 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 62%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $21,071 a year with about $25,685 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 28% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 0.9%.
What we’re seeing: outcomes in these fields vary widely, and affordability matters most precisely where early earnings start slow. Median earnings of $53,728 ten years after enrollment against a $21,071 net price show why low cost is the lever that turns a humanities degree into a clear win.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Denison University lands at #1 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, 24% 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 #2
University of Dayton lands at #2 with a 73/100 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, 38% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Marietta College lands at #3 with a 71/100 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, 4% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
The College of Wooster lands at #4 with a 71/100 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, 9% 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 #5
Cedarville University lands at #5 with a 70/100 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, 1% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
John Carroll University lands at #6 with a 70/100 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, 15% 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 #7
Ashland University lands at #7 with a 69/100 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, 3% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Otterbein University lands at #8 with a 69/100 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, 3% 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 #9
Cleveland State University lands at #9 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, 5% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Steubenville, OH · 58% accepted · $23,589 net
Why it ranks #10
Franciscan University of Steubenville lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $50,030 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,589 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 #11
Capital University lands at #11 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, 1% 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 #12
Muskingum University lands at #12 with a 67/100 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, 12% 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 #13
Hiram College lands at #13 with a 67/100 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, 1% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Ohio Dominican University lands at #14 with a 66/100 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, 6% 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 #15
Wittenberg University lands at #15 with a 66/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bluffton University lands at #16 with a 66/100 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, 10% 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 #17
Ohio State University-Main Campus lands at #17 with a 65/100 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, 10% 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 #18
Lake Erie College lands at #18 with a 64/100 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, 8% 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 #19
Heidelberg University lands at #19 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, 11% 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 #20
Defiance College lands at #20 with a 62/100 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, 10% 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 #21
Ohio University-Main Campus lands at #21 with a 61/100 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, 4% 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 #22
Miami University-Oxford lands at #22 with a 61/100 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% above 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
Cincinnati, OH · 85% accepted · $25,648 net
Why it ranks #23
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus lands at #23 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, 0% above 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 #24
Kent State University at Kent lands at #24 with a 58/100 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, 17% 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
Why it ranks #25
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College lands at #25 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, 0% above 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 #26
Ohio University-Eastern Campus lands at #26 with a 46/100 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, 4% 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 26 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become PR Specialists and related roles — a field with $67,440 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the PR Specialist career guide →When considering a degree in communications, Ohio offers a range of colleges with strong programs focused on preparing students for the real world. With 29 communications programs in the state, students have plenty of options to explore, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. In this list, we highlight colleges that stand out based on key outcomes like earnings and graduation rates.
The top schools in this ranking showcase significant differences in both earnings potential and student support. For example, graduates from the University of Dayton earn an average of $75,537, while those from Ohio State University-Main Campus report earnings of $60,409. This disparity highlights the importance of not just choosing a program, but also understanding how factors like graduation rates, debt levels, and overall program focus can impact a student's future.
Take Ohio State University-Main Campus and Denison University as examples. While OSU has a higher graduation rate at 88%, Denison graduates enjoy higher earnings at $67,753. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs students may face: a supportive, larger university environment versus a smaller college that may offer stronger outcomes in the job market. We’ll dive deeper into these dynamics and help you make sense of the choices ahead.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 19 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 0.9%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Marietta College leads the group at 1.7%, with Cleveland State University (1.6%) and Hiram College (1.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Cleveland State University enrolls the most, at 10.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 20.4% across the list, peaking at 36.6% at University of Dayton.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Denison University is highest at 1.79.
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
The data reveals a compelling story about earnings and debt among Ohio’s top communications programs. For instance, University of Dayton graduates earn significantly more than those from Miami University-Oxford, with a difference of nearly $20,000 in average earnings. This suggests that while both schools provide valuable education, the return on investment can vary dramatically, affecting a student's financial future.
After exploring 29 schools, it’s crucial to weigh this information against personal priorities. Consider your career goals, the type of campus experience you want, and your financial situation. For example, if minimizing debt is a priority, Ohio State University’s lower net price might appeal more than Denison’s higher cost despite its better earnings potential. Knowing what matters most to you will guide your decision-making process.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life hinges on more than just the numbers. For many families, choosing the right communications program can lead to significant financial and personal development. Take the time to consider how these factors align with your aspirations, ensuring that you choose a college that sets you up for success in the long run.
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 Communications Colleges in Ohio: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Communications Colleges in Ohio ranking? +
Denison University in Granville, OH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Communications Colleges in Ohio ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $67,753 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 79% 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? +
University of Dayton posts the highest median earnings on this list: $75,537 ten years after enrollment, well above the $54,763 average across the 26 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 60% 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 $21,954 a year across the 26 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 Communications 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 26 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
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