Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees in Ohio by ROI
Colleges in Ohio ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Ohio
19
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$166,046
Across Ohio programs
Average Annual Cost
$29,165
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Grad rate: 71.8% |
+$106,389 | $54,821 | $28,783 | $25,851 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Grad rate: 87.9% |
+$7,195 | $49,918 | $29,320 | $25,100 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Miami University-Oxford
Grad rate: 81.3% |
-$53,372 | $48,530 | $37,218 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Dayton
Grad rate: 81.4% |
-$79,040 | $50,910 | $64,310 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Grad rate: 18.0% |
-$110,819 | $40,320 | $10,263 | $26,791 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Grad rate: 13.1% |
-$110,835 | $40,320 | $10,267 | $26,791 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Ohio University-Southern Campus
Grad rate: 20.4% |
-$111,355 | $40,320 | $10,397 | $26,791 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Grad rate: 15.4% |
-$113,271 | $40,320 | $10,876 | $26,791 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Grad rate: 18.2% |
-$113,607 | $40,320 | $10,960 | $26,791 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
University of Akron Main Campus
Grad rate: 48.0% |
-$122,990 | $42,584 | $24,555 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Kent State University at Kent
Grad rate: 65.1% |
-$142,600 | $42,494 | $29,345 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Grad rate: 62.1% |
-$180,582 | $40,641 | $29,238 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Ohio University-Main Campus
Grad rate: 65.7% |
-$183,883 | $40,320 | $28,529 | $26,791 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Franklin University
Grad rate: 37.4% |
-$185,087 | $41,944 | $29,433 | $49,063 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Cleveland State University
Grad rate: 48.9% |
-$218,341 | $38,159 | $26,310 | $26,875 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees by State
Browse Design and Applied Arts programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.