Best Education Colleges in Ohio by Earnings (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 40 Education programs in Ohio by median earnings of Education graduates four years after completing, highest first. Denison University leads the list with median earnings of $65,429 for its graduates four years after completing.
Across the 31 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $65,429 to $25,194, with a median of $43,395. For 6 of the listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
The list includes 13 public and 27 private nonprofit institutions. Ohio State University-Main Campus ranks 90th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. Youngstown State University posts the lowest average net price at $12,767.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Education Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denison University · Granville, OH | $65,429 | $40,007 | $16,656 | 17.4% |
| Denison University ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $65,429 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (23 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $49,116 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus posts a six-year completion rate of 88% and an average net price of $17,339. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (212 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (89 graduates), Educational Administration and Supervision (67 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($52,459), Special Education and Teaching ($50,194), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,969) | |||||
| 3 | University of Dayton · Dayton, OH | $48,569 | $29,533 | $21,736 | 65.5% |
| University of Dayton admits 65% of applicants and reports median earnings of $48,569 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (103 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (29 graduates), Education, Other (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Special Education and Teaching ($51,389), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,775) | |||||
| 4 | Capital University · Columbus, OH | $48,223 | $22,576 | $19,062 | 70.2% |
| Capital University ranks 4th on this list and shows an average net price of $19,062 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (32 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (28 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($51,851), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,055), Special Education and Teaching ($45,924) | |||||
| 5 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH | $47,111 | $25,648 | $17,974 | 85.3% |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus reports median earnings of $47,111 for its Education graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 75%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (211 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (26 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,019), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($46,483) | |||||
| 6 | Miami University-Oxford · Oxford, OH | $47,030 | $28,384 | $16,015 | 75.4% |
| Miami University-Oxford admits 75% of applicants and carries an average net price of $28,384. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (138 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (88 graduates), Education, General (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($49,054), Special Education and Teaching ($47,226), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,704) | |||||
| 7 | John Carroll University · University Heights, OH | $45,791 | $28,746 | $19,945 | 80.9% |
| John Carroll University ranks 7th on this list, with median earnings of $45,791 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Education, General ($45,791) | |||||
| 8 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $45,457 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus posts a six-year completion rate of 64% and an average net price of $18,396 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Special Education and Teaching (204 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (118 graduates), Education, Other (97 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($47,937), Special Education and Teaching ($45,224), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,168) | |||||
| 9 | Wright State University-Main Campus · Dayton, OH | $45,229 | $15,415 | $11,952 | 96.3% |
| Wright State University-Main Campus admits 96% of applicants and reports median earnings of $45,229 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (65 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (42 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($48,724), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,970) | |||||
| 10 | University of Toledo · Toledo, OH | $44,691 | $17,249 | $13,524 | 92.0% |
| University of Toledo ranks 10th on this list and shows an average net price of $17,249. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (96 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Special Education and Teaching ($53,958), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($43,533) | |||||
| 11 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $44,599 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
| Ohio University-Main Campus reports median earnings of $44,599 for its Education graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 65%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (283 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (30 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Special Education and Teaching ($51,258), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($43,893) | |||||
| 12 | Wittenberg University · Springfield, OH | $44,325 | $18,649 | $17,609 | 72.4% |
| Wittenberg University admits 72% of applicants and carries an average net price of $17,609 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (34 graduates), Education, Other (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,325) | |||||
| 13 | Cedarville University · Cedarville, OH | $43,716 | $24,468 | $18,987 | 65.3% |
| Cedarville University reports median earnings of $43,716 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 73%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (42 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (18 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($43,308) | |||||
| 14 | Ashland University · Ashland, OH | $43,655 | $21,988 | $16,489 | 76.4% |
| Ashland University, a private nonprofit university in Ashland, admits 76% of applicants and shows an average net price of $21,988. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (34 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (30 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($45,115), Special Education and Teaching ($43,052), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,544) | |||||
| 15 | Cleveland State University · Cleveland, OH | $43,609 | $14,764 | $11,958 | 91.3% |
| Cleveland State University ranks 15th on this list with median earnings of $43,609 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $14,764. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (66 graduates), Educational Administration and Supervision (27 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($43,424), Educational Administration and Supervision ($41,308) | |||||
| 16 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $43,395 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 86.3% |
| Kent State University at Kent posts a six-year completion rate of 64% and an average net price of $15,280 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (178 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (126 graduates), Education, General (81 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Education, General ($46,646), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($44,283), Special Education and Teaching ($43,835) | |||||
| 17 | Otterbein University · Westerville, OH | No published median | $19,237 | $12,458 | 84.5% |
| Otterbein University ranks 1078th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 68%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (28 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (11 graduates), Education, General (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,383) | |||||
| 18 | Wilmington College · Wilmington, OH | $43,077 | $24,153 | $19,820 | 92.4% |
| Wilmington College reports median earnings of $43,077 for its Education graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 92%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Education, General ($43,077) | |||||
| 19 | Shawnee State University · Portsmouth, OH | $43,001 | $14,381 | $12,310 | Not reported |
| Shawnee State University has an average net price of $14,381 and a six-year completion rate of 48%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Special Education and Teaching (22 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (13 graduates) | |||||
| 20 | Franciscan University of Steubenville · Steubenville, OH | $42,987 | $23,589 | $19,696 | 58.4% |
| Franciscan University of Steubenville admits 58% of applicants and reports median earnings of $42,987 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,987) | |||||
| 21 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $42,569 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 59.7% |
| University of Akron Main Campus ranks 407th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $10,413 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Special Education and Teaching (97 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (58 graduates), Curriculum and Instruction (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($44,100), Special Education and Teaching ($41,782), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($40,780) | |||||
| 22 | University of Mount Union · Alliance, OH | No published median | $23,280 | $16,786 | 78.2% |
| A six-year completion rate of 59% and an average net price of $23,280 accompany University of Mount Union's 22nd position on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (45 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (28 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,001) | |||||
| 23 | Baldwin Wallace University · Berea, OH | No published median | $27,603 | $21,296 | 75.7% |
| Baldwin Wallace University admits 76% of applicants and reports an average net price of $21,296 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (27 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,784) | |||||
| 24 | Bluffton University · Bluffton, OH | $41,602 | $19,943 | $16,363 | 67.2% |
| Bluffton University reports median earnings of $41,602 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and its admission rate is 67%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Special Education and Teaching (11 graduates) | |||||
| 25 | Lake Erie College · Painesville, OH | $41,284 | $20,961 | $20,195 | 70.4% |
| Lake Erie College reports median earnings of $41,284 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $20,961. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (18 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (8 graduates) | |||||
| 26 | Xavier University · Cincinnati, OH | $40,443 | $32,997 | $26,728 | 86.4% |
| Xavier University admits 86% of applicants and graduates 69% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (18 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($40,443) | |||||
| 27 | Ohio Christian University · Circleville, OH | $40,291 | $20,607 | $22,113 | 38.0% |
| Ohio Christian University ranks 1205th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a six-year completion rate of 34%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (15 graduates) | |||||
| 28 | Youngstown State University · Youngstown, OH | $40,191 | $12,767 | $9,328 | 84.5% |
| A public university in Youngstown, Youngstown State University carries an average net price of $12,767 and reports median earnings of $40,191 for its Education graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (45 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (43 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($42,737), Special Education and Teaching ($39,497), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($38,535) | |||||
| 29 | The University of Findlay · Findlay, OH | No published median | $27,221 | $22,052 | 83.4% |
| The University of Findlay has an admission rate of 83% and an average net price of $22,052 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (18 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (7 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($40,822) | |||||
| 30 | Muskingum University · New Concord, OH | No published median | $19,532 | $14,684 | 81.8% |
| Muskingum University graduates 56% of its students within six years and ranks 1209th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (27 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (14 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,152) | |||||
| 31 | Ohio Dominican University · Columbus, OH | No published median | $20,079 | $16,997 | 94.2% |
| Ohio Dominican University admits 94% of applicants and carries an average net price of $16,997 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Special Education and Teaching (13 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (7 graduates), Education, General (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,174) | |||||
| 32 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University · Mount Vernon, OH | No published median | $22,421 | $22,358 | 84.2% |
| Mount Vernon Nazarene University reports a six-year completion rate of 68% and an average net price of $22,421. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (28 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (12 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($38,069), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($38,001) | |||||
| 33 | Malone University · Canton, OH | No published median | $20,948 | $13,290 | 75.9% |
| Malone University ranks 1267th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its admission rate is 76%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (14 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (9 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,544) | |||||
| 34 | Walsh University · North Canton, OH | No published median | $20,493 | $20,458 | 70.7% |
| Walsh University has an average net price of $20,458 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 58%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Special Education and Teaching (18 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (12 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($39,112) | |||||
| 35 | Mount St. Joseph University · Cincinnati, OH | $32,925 | $16,530 | $11,689 | 59.1% |
| Mount St. Joseph University reports median earnings of $32,925 for its Education graduates two years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 59%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (10 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (7 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (7 graduates) | |||||
| 36 | Hiram College · Hiram, OH | $32,569 | $21,058 | $16,550 | 93.5% |
| Hiram College admits 94% of applicants and reports median earnings of $32,569 for its Education graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (11 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (5 graduates) | |||||
| 37 | Ohio Northern University · Ada, OH | $30,771 | $24,478 | $18,525 | 74.4% |
| Ohio Northern University reports $30,771 in median earnings for its Education graduates two years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 75%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (12 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (7 graduates) | |||||
| 38 | Lourdes University · Sylvania, OH | $30,047 | $23,206 | $22,220 | 74.1% |
| Lourdes University admits 74% of applicants and its Education graduates earn a median of $30,047 two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (7 graduates) | |||||
| 39 | Central State University · Wilberforce, OH | $28,055 | $13,096 | $19,581 | 98.6% |
| A public university in Wilberforce, Central State University has an average net price of $13,096 and a six-year completion rate of 23%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (26 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (10 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (5 graduates) | |||||
| 40 | Defiance College · Defiance, OH | $25,194 | $26,337 | $27,196 | 47.6% |
| Defiance College ranks 40th on this list, with median earnings of $25,194 for its Education graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (5 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Education graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Education earnings cohort in Ohio appear. The figure is the median earnings of federally aided Education completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 6 of the 40 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 31 schools with a published figure. Denison University leads Ohio State University-Main Campus by a gap of $16,313.
Job market context in Ohio
The occupations linked to Education in Ohio include roles such as Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. The median annual wage across those occupations is $75,240, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $58,191. The state projects about 17,490 openings a year, or about 402 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 0.0% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, which is a different measure from the occupational wage figures described here.