Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio
- 50
- Schools
- $54,887
- Avg. Earnings
- 56%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,986
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,517
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $33,267 to $87,989, a 2.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Ohio State University-Marion Campus delivers the most for the money: roughly $60,409 in median earnings against $11,488 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Miami University-Middletown ($10,809 net price), still posts $55,076 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 56% 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
- #1 Marietta College ($57,180 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Case Western Reserve University ($87,989), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Miami University-Middletown costs $10,809 a year and Case Western Reserve University costs $41,190. Yet their graduates earn $55,076 and $87,989, nowhere near the $30,381 price gap.
- On value, Ohio State University-Marion Campus beats Case Western Reserve University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Ohio State University-Marion Campus and Ohio State University-Main Campus. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 Marietta College #1 overall | $57,180 ▲ +4% vs avg | $21,083 | 60% | 68 |
| 2 Kenyon College #2 overall | $71,830 ▲ +31% vs avg | $38,512 | 84% | 68 |
| 3 Bluffton University #3 overall | $49,547 ▼ -10% vs avg | $19,943 | 51% | 67 |
| $87,989 ▲ +60% vs avg | $41,190 | 87% | 65 | |
| $67,753 ▲ +23% vs avg | $40,007 | 79% | 65 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,887 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 56% and an average net price of $21,986.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Ohio State University-Marion Campus — Net Price: $11,488 | Graduation Rate: 26%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Ohio State University-Main Campus — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Case Western Reserve University — Median alumni earnings: $87,989
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$54,227
Median earnings (10yr)
58%
Median graduation rate
$20,955
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Psychology, social work, and counseling programs train a workforce in high and rising demand. Mental-health needs, child and family services, and an aging population all pull for licensed practitioners. The work is essential and licensure-gated. Pay is modest, which makes the economics of the degree unusually sensitive to cost.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 58%. Median graduate earnings reach $54,227 ten years after enrollment, roughly $6,227 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $20,955 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,185. Some 28% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.1%.
What we’re seeing: demand is strong and growing, but the salary ceiling means affordability decides the return. With median earnings around $54,227 and a median net price of $20,955, the best value comes from programs that keep debt well below early-career pay.
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
Marietta College lands at #1 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, 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 #2
Kenyon College lands at #2 with a 68/100 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, 31% 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 #3
Bluffton University lands at #3 with a 67/100 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Case Western Reserve University lands at #4 with a 65/100 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, 60% 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 #5
Denison University lands at #5 with a 65/100 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, 23% 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 #6
University of Dayton lands at #6 with a 65/100 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 #7
The College of Wooster lands at #7 with a 64/100 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
Steubenville, OH · 58% accepted · $23,589 net
Why it ranks #8
Franciscan University of Steubenville lands at #8 with a 64/100 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 #9
Ohio Northern University lands at #9 with a 63/100 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, 47% 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
Oberlin College lands at #10 with a 63/100 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, 6% 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 #11
Tiffin University lands at #11 with a 63/100 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, 35% 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 #12
John Carroll University lands at #12 with a 62/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Otterbein University lands at #13 with a 62/100 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Cleveland State University lands at #14 with a 62/100 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Ohio Wesleyan University lands at #15 with a 62/100 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, 1% 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 #16
Cedarville University lands at #16 with a 62/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Walsh University lands at #17 with a 62/100 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, 9% 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 #18
University of Mount Union lands at #18 with a 61/100 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, 3% 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 #19
Hiram College lands at #19 with a 61/100 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 #20
Muskingum University lands at #20 with a 60/100 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 #21
Ursuline College lands at #21 with a 60/100 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, 4% 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 #22
Mount St. Joseph University lands at #22 with a 60/100 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, 6% 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 #23
Capital University lands at #23 with a 60/100 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 #24
Lake Erie College lands at #24 with a 60/100 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 #25
Malone University lands at #25 with a 60/100 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, 11% 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 #26
University of Toledo lands at #26 with a 60/100 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, 8% 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 #27
Xavier University lands at #27 with a 60/100 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, 18% 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 #28
Wittenberg University lands at #28 with a 59/100 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 #29
Baldwin Wallace University lands at #29 with a 58/100 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% 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 #30
Ohio State University-Main Campus lands at #30 with a 58/100 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 #31
Wilmington College lands at #31 with a 58/100 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, 12% 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 57/100 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, 12% 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
Lourdes University lands at #33 with a 57/100 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, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,206 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
Franklin University lands at #34 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (31/100). Graduates earn a median $51,892 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,243 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 #35
Shawnee State University lands at #35 with a 55/100 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, 28% 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 #36
Central State University lands at #36 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $33,267 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,096 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 #37
Miami University-Hamilton lands at #37 with a 53/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Miami University-Oxford lands at #38 with a 53/100 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, 0% 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 #39
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College lands at #39 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 #40
Ohio University-Main Campus lands at #40 with a 52/100 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 #41
Wright State University-Main Campus lands at #41 with a 52/100 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, 10% 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 #42
Kent State University at Kent lands at #42 with a 51/100 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 #43
Ohio State University-Marion Campus lands at #43 with a 51/100 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, 10% 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 #44
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus lands at #44 with a 50/100 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 #45
Miami University-Middletown lands at #45 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $55,076 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,809 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
Why it ranks #46
Ohio State University-Lima Campus lands at #46 with a 49/100 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, 10% 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 #47
Ohio State University-Newark Campus lands at #47 with a 49/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $60,409 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,767 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
Bowling Green, OH · 81% accepted · $24,022 net
Why it ranks #48
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus lands at #48 with a 49/100 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, 13% 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 #49
University of Akron Main Campus lands at #49 with a 48/100 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, 15% 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 #50
Ohio Christian University lands at #50 with a 46/100 composite, led by academic quality (60/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $39,813 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,607 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a psychology program in Ohio can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. These colleges share a strong focus on psychology, offering varied experiences and outcomes that can significantly shape a student’s future. For example, graduates from these programs earn an average of $54,508, which reflects their potential in the job market.
What distinguishes the top schools in this list are their key outcomes: earnings after graduation, graduation rates, student debt, and overall completion rates. These metrics tell a story about how well students are prepared for their careers and the financial implications of their education. As you review the rankings below, consider how each school stacks up against these important factors to find the best fit for your needs.
Take Ohio State University-Main Campus and Case Western Reserve University, for instance. Ohio State graduates earn $60,409 with a graduation rate of 88%, while Case Western’s graduates have even higher earnings at $87,989, but face a higher average debt of $24,000. This contrast highlights the balance students must strike between potential earnings and the financial investment required for their education.
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 34 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.1%. Franklin University leads the group at 3.5%, with Central State University (2.1%) and Case Western Reserve University (1.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Central State University leads at 23.9%, 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 23.1% 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 1.58 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
The data reveals a notable trend: Case Western Reserve University outperforms others in earnings, with graduates making an average of $87,989, compared to $60,409 at Ohio State University-Main Campus. However, this comes with a tradeoff of higher debt, averaging $24,000. Understanding these tradeoffs is essential for prospective students and their families.
As you sift through the 50 schools listed, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing lower debt? Then Ohio State’s $17,339 net price might catch your eye. If earning potential is your primary concern, Case Western's impressive earnings could lead to a bigger paycheck post-graduation. Weigh these factors against your personal preferences like campus culture and location to find the right fit.
Ultimately, this data highlights the importance of making informed choices for a stable future. Graduating with a psychology degree from a school with solid outcomes can open doors, but it’s crucial to align your educational investment with your career goals and financial situation. One family's choice today can shape their 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 Psychology Colleges in Ohio: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio ranking? +
Marietta College in Marietta, OH ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $57,180 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 60% 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 $54,887 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, Ohio State University-Marion Campus leads: graduates earn a median $60,409 against net price of about $11,488 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 56% 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 $21,986 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Miami University-Middletown is among the most affordable at roughly $10,809. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Psychology 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 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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