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Cheapest community colleges in Ohio

Community colleges in Ohio ranked by published in-state tuition, lowest first. Published tuition is the sticker price; the price you actually pay is typically much lower after federal Pell grants and state aid. Use this list as a starting point, then file the FAFSA to see your real cost.

  1. Lakeland Community CollegeKirtland, OH$3,872
  2. Washington State College of OhioMarietta, OH$4,128
  3. Lorain County Community CollegeElyria, OH$4,265
  4. North Central State CollegeMansfield, OH$4,624
  5. Belmont CollegeSt Clairsville, OH$4,698
  6. Northwest State Community CollegeArchbold, OH$4,698
  7. Central Ohio Technical CollegeNewark, OH$5,256
  8. Hocking CollegeNelsonville, OH$5,540
  9. Owens Community CollegePerrysburg, OH$5,870
  10. Southern State Community CollegeHillsboro, OH$5,912
  11. Zane State CollegeZanesville, OH$6,006
  12. Ohio University-Lancaster CampusLancaster, OH$6,362
  13. Ohio University-Southern CampusIronton, OH$6,362
  14. Bowling Green State University-FirelandsHuron, OH$6,407
  15. Marion Technical CollegeMarion, OH$6,595
  16. University of Cincinnati-Clermont CollegeBatavia, OH$6,750
  17. University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash CollegeBlue Ash, OH$7,200
  18. Kent State University at AshtabulaAshtabula, OH$7,492
  19. Kent State University at East LiverpoolEast Liverpool, OH$7,492
  20. Kent State University at GeaugaBurton, OH$7,492
  21. Kent State University at SalemSalem, OH$7,492
  22. Kent State University at StarkNorth Canton, OH$7,492
  23. Kent State University at TrumbullWarren, OH$7,492
  24. Kent State University at TuscarawasNew Philadelphia, OH$7,492
  25. Gods Bible School and CollegeCincinnati, OH$7,710
  26. Tri-State Bible CollegeSouth Point, OH$9,100
  27. Ohio State University-Mansfield CampusMansfield, OH$9,488
  28. Ohio State University-Marion CampusMarion, OH$9,488
  29. Ohio State University-Newark CampusNewark, OH$9,488
  30. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical InstituteWooster, OH$9,584
  31. Valor Christian CollegeCanal Winchester, OH$10,012
  32. Rosedale Bible CollegeIrwin, OH$10,088
  33. Herzing University-AkronAkron, OH$13,450
  34. University of Northwestern OhioLima, OH$13,875
  35. Davis CollegeToledo, OH$14,130
  36. ATA College-CincinnatiCincinnati, OH$14,250
  37. East Ohio CollegeEast Liverpool, OH$14,798
  38. Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health ScienceCincinnati, OH$15,470
  39. Professional Skills InstituteMaumee, OH$15,884
  40. Stautzenberger College-BrecksvilleBrecksville, OH$16,699
  41. Galen College of Nursing-CincinnatiCincinnati, OH$18,048
  42. Bryant & Stratton College-ParmaParma, OH$19,580
  43. University of Rio GrandeRio Grande, OH$20,560
  44. Global Tech CollegeToledo, OH$22,184
  45. Felbry CollegeColumbus, OH$29,731
  46. The Modern College of DesignKettering, OH$31,468

Reading the list

The figures above are the published in-state tuition rates each Ohio community college reports to the U.S. Department of Education. These are the rates posted to the institution's tuition schedule before any aid is applied. For most Ohio community-college students, federal Pell grants alone cover a substantial share of tuition, and state aid programs in Ohio often cover the remainder for residents who qualify. Out-of-state tuition is typically higher; check the individual college profile for both rates.

Tuition alone is not the right comparison for a complete cost picture. The College Scorecard also reports total annual cost of attendance — tuition plus required fees, books, room and board (if applicable), and other expenses — which is the more meaningful number when you are budgeting for a year of school. Each college's full profile lists cost of attendance alongside tuition. For students who can live at home and avoid room-and-board costs, the gap between tuition and cost of attendance shrinks substantially.

If your goal is the lowest possible total cost, the cheapest tuition isn't always the right pick. A slightly more expensive program with a higher transfer rate or stronger articulation agreement with a four-year university may produce a lower total degree cost overall, because lost credit on transfer can erase the savings of a low community-college tuition.