Best Community Colleges in Ohio 2024

Badge for BEST IN OHIO COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Ohio offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.

10 Best Community Colleges in Ohio

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  1. Cuyahoga Community College
  2. Sinclair Community College
  3. Hocking College
  4. Eastern Gateway Community College
  5. Columbus State Community College
  6. Owens Community College
  7. Lorain County Community College
  8. BGSU Firelands
  9. North Central State College
  10. Southern State Community College
  1. Cuyahoga Community College
  2. Sinclair Community College
  3. BGSU Firelands
  4. Columbus State Community College
  5. Hocking College
  6. Eastern Gateway Community College
  7. Owens Community College
  8. North Central State College
  9. Lorain County Community College
  10. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
    1. Eastern Gateway Community College 33 to 1
    2. Northwest State Community College 25 to 1
    3. Edison State Community College 24 to 1
    4. Stark State College 20 to 1
    5. Stautzenberger College 18 to 1
    6. Southern State Community College 17 to 1
    7. James A. Rhodes State College 17 to 1
    8. Columbus State Community College 17 to 1
    9. BGSU Firelands 16 to 1
    10. Owens Community College 16 to 1
    1. Stautzenberger College $16,699
    2. Davis College $14,130
    3. Chatfield College $14,080
    4. Marion Technical College $5,700
    5. Zane State College $5,670
    6. BGSU Firelands $5,637
    7. North Central State College $5,388
    8. Columbus State Community College $5,188
    9. Southern State Community College $5,132
    10. Central Ohio Technical College $5,016
      1. Clark State College
      2. Chatfield College
      3. Davis College
      4. Stautzenberger College
      5. Terra State Community College
      6. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
      7. Edison State Community College
      8. Washington State Community College
      9. Belmont College
      10. Northwest State Community College
      1. Davis College
      2. Terra State Community College
      3. Stautzenberger College
      4. Clark State College
      5. Washington State Community College
      6. Edison State Community College
      7. Marion Technical College
      8. Belmont College
      9. Northwest State Community College
      10. Chatfield College
        1. Chatfield College 5 to 1
        2. Davis College 7 to 1
        3. Lakeland Community College 10 to 1
        4. Cuyahoga Community College 11 to 1
        5. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College 12 to 1
        6. Marion Technical College 13 to 1
        7. Terra State Community College 13 to 1
        8. Clark State College 13 to 1
        9. Belmont College 13 to 1
        10. Central Ohio Technical College 13 to 1
        1. Stark State College $3,036
        2. Belmont College $3,140
        3. Clark State College $3,416
        4. Edison State Community College $3,600
        5. Hocking College $3,816
        6. Sinclair Community College $3,889
        7. Lakeland Community College $3,927
        8. Eastern Gateway Community College $4,115
        9. Washington State Community College $4,128
        10. Lorain County Community College $4,187

          Colleges and Universities in Ohio

          Ohio offers over 120 colleges and universities for students to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. The largest school in the state, Ohio State University, a public institution, serves almost 55,000 students. This university has five regional campuses, which have graduated alumni like writer Harlan Ellison and Wikipedia cofounder Larry Sanger. The majority of Ohio’s schools, however, are private.

          Find college admissions consultants in your state.

          Tuition at these schools varies greatly, with costs as low as $7,000 at God’s Bible School and College, and as high as $56,000 at Kenyon University. The state is also home to nearly 40 higher education institutes with religious affiliations, offering plenty of options for students aiming to blend their faith with higher education. Although tuition costs in Ohio are higher than the national average, Ohio provides several loan forgiveness programs to those pursuing careers as public defenders and prosecutors, dentists, nurses, primary care physicians, and mental health providers. Many of these programs require individuals to work in shortage areas around the state for a certain time period in order to qualify.

          If you’re someone with a wide variety of interests, Ohio might just be the place for you. In The Buckeye State, individuals can visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, take a trip through Amish Country, attend a professional sporting event, and hike waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It seems this state has something for everyone, including those pursuing a higher education degree.

          Learn more about the numerous excellent degree paths and career prospects available in Ohio.


          What are Ohio’s Colleges & Universities?

          Ohio’s Best Overall

          Ohio's Best Community Colleges Badge
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          We’ve identified 26 community colleges in Ohio. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Ohio.

          Best Community Colleges in Ohio

          1. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            26%

            Student body

            27K

            Career Outlook for degree at Cuyahoga Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,622
            Starting Salary: $30,900
            What is Cuyahoga Community College known for?

            Cuyahoga Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          2. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            30%

            Student body

            34K

            Career Outlook for degree at Sinclair Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,569
            Starting Salary: $32,100
            What is Sinclair Community College known for?

            Sinclair Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          3. #3

            Hocking College

            Nelsonville , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            27%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Hocking College

            Cost of Degree: $5,396
            Expenses: $14,310
            Starting Salary: $33,200
            Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Hocking College known for?

            Hocking College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          4. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            31%

            Student body

            60K

            Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Gateway Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,410
            Starting Salary: $30,400
            What is Eastern Gateway Community College known for?

            Eastern Gateway Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          5. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            26%

            Student body

            42K

            Career Outlook for degree at Columbus State Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,188
            Starting Salary: $35,500
            What is Columbus State Community College known for?

            Columbus State Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          6. #6

            Owens Community College

            Perrysburg , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            28%

            Student body

            11K

            Career Outlook for degree at Owens Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,630
            Starting Salary: $34,400
            What is Owens Community College known for?

            Owens Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          7. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            26%

            Student body

            13K

            Career Outlook for degree at Lorain County Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,660
            Starting Salary: $33,800
            What is Lorain County Community College known for?

            Lorain County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          8. #8

            BGSU Firelands

            Huron , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            12%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at BGSU Firelands

            Cost of Degree: $6,036
            Starting Salary: $45,300
            What is BGSU Firelands known for?

            BGSU Firelands’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          9. Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            27%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at North Central State College

            Cost of Degree: $5,786
            Starting Salary: $31,400
            What is North Central State College known for?

            North Central State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          10. Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            31%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Southern State Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,612
            Starting Salary: $31,100
            What is Southern State Community College known for?

            Southern State Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          11. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            27%

            Student body

            5K

            Career Outlook for degree at James A. Rhodes State College

            Cost of Degree: $4,532
            Starting Salary: $34,700
            What is James A. Rhodes State College known for?

            James A. Rhodes State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          12. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            16%

            Student body

            7K

            Career Outlook for degree at Lakeland Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,477
            Starting Salary: $36,700
            What is Lakeland Community College known for?

            Lakeland Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          13. #13

            Zane State College

            Zanesville , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            54%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at Zane State College

            Cost of Degree: $5,706
            Starting Salary: $32,900
            What is Zane State College known for?

            Zane State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          14. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            30%

            Student body

            4K

            Career Outlook for degree at Central Ohio Technical College

            Cost of Degree: $5,016
            Starting Salary: $35,400
            What is Central Ohio Technical College known for?

            Central Ohio Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          15. #15

            Stark State College

            North Canton , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            20%

            Student body

            14K

            Career Outlook for degree at Stark State College

            Cost of Degree: $4,548
            Starting Salary: $37,100
            What is Stark State College known for?

            Stark State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          16. Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            30%

            Student body

            4K

            Career Outlook for degree at Marion Technical College

            Cost of Degree: $6,325
            Starting Salary: $32,900
            What is Marion Technical College known for?

            Marion Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          17. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            45%

            Student body

            6K

            Career Outlook for degree at Northwest State Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,578
            Starting Salary: $33,800
            What is Northwest State Community College known for?

            Northwest State Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          18. #18

            Belmont College

            St Clairsville , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            35%

            Student body

            1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Belmont College

            Cost of Degree: $4,700
            Starting Salary: $35,400
            What is Belmont College known for?

            Belmont College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          19. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            37%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at Washington State Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,128
            Starting Salary: $31,300
            What is Washington State Community College known for?

            Washington State Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          20. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            23%

            Student body

            6K

            Career Outlook for degree at Edison State Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,251
            Starting Salary: $31,500
            What is Edison State Community College known for?

            Edison State Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          21. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            17%

            Student body

            12K

            Career Outlook for degree at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,274
            Starting Salary: $35,300
            What is Cincinnati State Technical and Community College known for?

            Cincinnati State Technical and Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          22. Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            26%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Terra State Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,588
            Expenses: $15,934
            Starting Salary: $32,600
            Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Terra State Community College known for?

            Terra State Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          23. Tuition + fees

            $17K

            Graduation

            53%

            Student body

            1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Stautzenberger College

            Cost of Degree: $16,699
            Starting Salary: $29,100
            What is Stautzenberger College known for?

            Stautzenberger College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          24. #24

            Davis College

            Toledo , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $14K

            Student body

            <1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Davis College

            Cost of Degree: $14,130
            Starting Salary: $25,100
            What is Davis College known for?

            Davis College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          25. #25

            Chatfield College

            Saint Martin , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $14K

            Graduation

            20%

            Student body

            <1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Chatfield College

            Cost of Degree: $14,080
            Starting Salary: $26,000
            What is Chatfield College known for?
          26. #26

            Clark State College

            Springfield , OH

            Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            32%

            Student body

            7K

            Career Outlook for degree at Clark State College

            Cost of Degree: $4,152
            Starting Salary: $32,100
            What is Clark State College known for?

            Clark State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          2021 Ranking Archive

          Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

          1. BGSU Firelands
          2. Cuyahoga Community College
          3. Belmont College
          4. Hocking College
          5. Washington State Community College
          6. Stautzenberger College
          7. Sinclair Community College
          8. Owens Community College
          9. Columbus State Community College
          10. James A. Rhodes State College
          11. Northwest State Community College
          12. Lorain County Community College
          13. Antonelli College
          14. Eastern Gateway Community College
          15. Clark State College
          16. Marion Technical College
          17. Southern State Community College
          18. Bradford School
          19. Stark State College
          20. Central Ohio Technical College
          21. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
          22. North Central State College
          23. Lakeland Community College
          24. Zane State College
          25. Edison State Community College
          26. Davis College
          27. Chatfield College
          28. Terra State Community College
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