Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Ohio
- 50
- Schools
- $53,650
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,645
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,620
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $35,006 to $87,989, a 2.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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North Central State College delivers the most for the money: roughly $38,158 in median earnings against $4,687 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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North Central State College is the lowest-cost school here at $4,687 a year in net price.
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Ohio State University-Main Campus graduates 88% of its students, versus a 57% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Zane State College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.20× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Kenyon College ($71,830 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Case Western Reserve University ($87,989), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- North Central State College costs $4,687 a year and Case Western Reserve University costs $41,190. Yet their graduates earn $38,158 and $87,989, nowhere near the $36,503 price gap.
- On value, North Central State College beats Case Western Reserve University: 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 North Central State College 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
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 $53K 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 2026-08-24
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 Kenyon College #1 overall | $71,830 ▲ +34% vs avg | $38,512 | 84% | 69 |
| 2 Case Western Reserve University #2 overall | $87,989 ▲ +64% vs avg | $41,190 | 87% | 68 |
| 3 The College of Wooster #3 overall | $59,629 ▲ +11% vs avg | $23,458 | 74% | 67 |
| $80,928 ▲ +51% vs avg | $24,478 | 75% | 67 | |
| $75,537 ▲ +41% vs avg | $29,533 | 81% | 67 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Master's Programs in Ohio
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,650 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $20,645.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: North Central State College — Net Price: $4,687 | Graduation Rate: 35%
- 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?
$53,073
Median earnings (10yr)
58%
Median graduation rate
$20,923
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.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $53,073 ten years after enrollment, or about $5,073 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 58%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $20,923 a year with about $25,185 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 27% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 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 $20,923 and median earnings of $53,073 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
Kenyon College lands at #1 with a 69/100 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, 34% 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 #2
Case Western Reserve University lands at #2 with a 68/100 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, 64% 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 #3
The College of Wooster lands at #3 with a 67/100 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, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,458 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 #4
Ohio Northern University lands at #4 with a 67/100 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, 51% 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 #5
University of Dayton lands at #5 with a 67/100 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, 41% 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 #6
North Central State College lands at #6 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $38,158 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,687 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Denison University lands at #7 with a 66/100 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, 26% 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 #8
Central Ohio Technical College lands at #8 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $39,168 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,948 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Cedarville University lands at #9 with a 65/100 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, 3% 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 #10
Youngstown State University lands at #10 with a 65/100 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, 23% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Walsh University lands at #11 with a 65/100 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, 11% 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 #12
John Carroll University lands at #12 with a 65/100 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, 17% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Steubenville, OH · 58% accepted · $23,589 net
Why it ranks #13
Franciscan University of Steubenville lands at #13 with a 65/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,589 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 #14
Ohio State University-Main Campus lands at #14 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, 13% 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 #15
Oberlin College lands at #15 with a 65/100 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, 9% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Cleveland State University lands at #16 with a 65/100 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, 3% 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 #17
Otterbein University lands at #17 with a 65/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,237 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 #18
Columbus State Community College lands at #18 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $39,435 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,400 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 #19
Mount Vernon Nazarene University lands at #19 with a 64/100 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,421 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 #20
University of Toledo lands at #20 with a 63/100 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, 6% 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 #21
Ohio Wesleyan University lands at #21 with a 63/100 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, 4% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Marietta College lands at #22 with a 63/100 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, 7% 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 #23
Ursuline College lands at #23 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $56,878 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,164 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 #24
Hiram College lands at #24 with a 63/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Sinclair Community College lands at #25 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $37,558 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,992 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 #26
University of Mount Union lands at #26 with a 63/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,280 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 #27
Ashland University lands at #27 with a 62/100 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, 1% 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 #28
Muskingum University lands at #28 with a 62/100 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, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,532 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 #29
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College lands at #29 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $40,137 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,968 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 #30
Xavier University lands at #30 with a 62/100 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, 21% 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 #31
Capital University lands at #31 with a 62/100 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% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,576 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 #32
Wittenberg University lands at #32 with a 61/100 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, 2% 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 #33
Ohio Dominican University lands at #33 with a 61/100 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, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,079 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 #34
The University of Findlay lands at #34 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $56,996 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,221 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 #35
Malone University lands at #35 with a 61/100 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, 9% 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 #36
Bluffton University lands at #36 with a 60/100 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,943 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 #37
Baldwin Wallace University lands at #37 with a 60/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Zane State College lands at #38 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,006 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,062 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
Wilmington College lands at #39 with a 60/100 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, 10% 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 #40
Mercy College of Ohio lands at #40 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $65,409 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,989 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 #41
Lake Erie College lands at #41 with a 59/100 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, 6% 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 #42
Miami University-Oxford lands at #42 with a 59/100 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, 3% 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
Why it ranks #43
Tiffin University lands at #43 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $35,942 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,500 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 #44
Marion Technical College lands at #44 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,495 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,417 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 #45
Mount St. Joseph University lands at #45 with a 58/100 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, 4% 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 #46
Lourdes University lands at #46 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $48,150 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,206 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 #47
Shawnee State University lands at #47 with a 58/100 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, 26% 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 #48
Heidelberg University lands at #48 with a 58/100 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, 10% 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 #49
Mount Carmel College of Nursing lands at #49 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (32/100). Graduates earn a median $75,103 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,420 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 #50
James A. Rhodes State College lands at #50 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $41,855 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,757 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 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
As we explore the best master's programs in Ohio, we're looking at schools that consistently produce graduates with strong outcomes. With an average post-graduation earning of $55,225, these institutions are shaping futures and preparing students for success in their fields.
What sets these programs apart? Key metrics like graduation rates, debt levels, and post-graduation earnings highlight how well these schools support their students. The data below reflects not just the prestige of these schools, but the tangible results they achieve, helping graduates find their footing in the workforce.
Take Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University, for example. Ohio State graduates earn an average of $60,409, with an impressive graduation rate of 88%. In contrast, Case Western boasts even higher earnings at $87,989, but comes with a significantly higher net price of $41,190 and a debt of $24,000. The differences in costs and outcomes are crucial for prospective students to consider as they navigate 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 44 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 Ursuline College (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.3% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Zane State College leads at 15.3%, 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 20.1% 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 1.50 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 we look closely at the data, a clear pattern emerges. For instance, Case Western Reserve University outperforms Mount Carmel College of Nursing in earnings, with graduates making $87,989 compared to Mount Carmel's $75,103. However, Mount Carmel has a much lower net price of $10,420, which can make a significant difference for students concerned about debt.
After reviewing the rankings, it’s essential to weigh these outcomes against personal priorities. Consider factors like location and program fit. If you value a lower net price, Mount Carmel might be an excellent choice despite slightly lower earnings. Conversely, if maximizing post-graduate income is your primary goal, Case Western could be worth the investment.
In the end, these numbers reflect a critical journey from education to a stable future. Each family's decision is unique, whether it's a choice driven by financial considerations or career aspirations. Understanding the implications of these outcomes can help guide that choice toward a more secure life ahead.
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 Master's Programs in Ohio: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Ohio ranking? +
Kenyon College in Gambier, OH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master's Programs in Ohio ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $71,830 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 84% 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 $53,650 average across the 50 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, North Central State College leads: graduates earn a median $38,158 against net price of about $4,687 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 57% 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 $20,645 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. North Central State College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,687. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Master's Programs 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 50 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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