Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Cost is resident tuition plus required fees, 2023-24.
Associate Degrees in Ohio
31
Meet the Ranking Threshold
22
Median Resident Tuition and Fees
$9,212
With a Fully Online Option
7
General Studies Associate Degrees in Ohio
General studies associate degrees in Ohio split along a public and private line: 22 of the state's 31 programs at this level are ranked, 15 of them public and 7 private, and 9 others sit below the threshold. The public 15 are the University of Toledo, seven community and technical colleges, the University of Cincinnati's Clermont College, and six regional campuses of Ohio State and Miami University. The other seven are private.
Sinclair Community College in Dayton tops the list at 60, on a 41% graduation rate at $4,569 in resident tuition and required fees, with 41 degrees a year. James A. Rhodes State College in Lima is second at 58.3 with a 47% graduation rate at $4,657 on 12 degrees, and the University of Toledo third at 56.5, where a 57% graduation rate on 59 degrees a year is weighed against $11,742. Owens Community College in Perrysburg follows at 55.4 with 154 degrees a year at $5,750 and a 35% graduation rate.
The spread is wide at both ends. Tuition and fees run from $4,128 at Washington State College of Ohio in Marietta to $32,630 at Franciscan University of Steubenville, and graduation rates from 15% at Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus to 75% at Franciscan. The four Ohio State regional campuses share a $9,212 price, award between 58 and 355 degrees a year each, and graduate between 15% and 29%. Mount Vernon Nazarene University (68%, $25,559) and Ashland University (61%, $26,390) join Franciscan above 60%, all three private.
The 22 Best General Studies Associate Degrees in Ohio
The best general studies associate degrees in Ohio are ranked below by their national score, from the national associate degree ranking. The number on each card is the program's place in Ohio. Each needed at least 10 graduates in the latest year to be ranked.
1
Sinclair Community College
Ohio
60.0- Public
- College graduation rate
- 41%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,569 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 41
About the Program
Based in Dayton, Ohio, Sinclair Community College is a public college with 19,415 students on its rolls. Some 41 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 32% of the programs ranked alongside it. Of the students who start at Sinclair Community College, 41% graduate, and that beats 68 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Expect tuition and fees of $4,569 a year as a resident and $8,316 otherwise. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 71st percentile.
2
James A. Rhodes State College
Ohio
58.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 47%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,657 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 12
About the Program
Based in Lima, Ohio, James A. Rhodes State College is a public college with 4,124 students on its rolls. The program's last federal report shows 12 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 5 in every 100 programs measured here. Its college-wide graduation rate is 47%, the 80th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Expect tuition and fees of $4,657 a year as a resident and $9,217 otherwise. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 80th percentile.
3
University of Toledo
Ohio
56.5- Public
- College graduation rate
- 57%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $11,742 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 59
About the Program
University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio that enrolls 14,358 students. Some 59 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 44% of the programs ranked alongside it. Of the students who start at University of Toledo, 57% graduate, and that beats 93 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees run $11,742 a year in state against $21,102 out of state, so on price it sits at the 12th percentile. Getting in is not automatic, because 92% of applicants are admitted. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 93rd percentile.
4
Owens Community College
Ohio
55.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 35%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $5,750 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 154
About the Program
Perrysburg, Ohio is home to Owens Community College, a public community college of 7,854 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 154 associate's degrees, a count at the 70th percentile for size. Of the students who start at Owens Community College, 35% graduate, and that beats 51 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $5,750 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $10,262. On the number of degrees it awards it does best, reaching the 70th percentile.
5
Ashland University
Ohio
54.0- Private nonprofit
- College graduation rate
- 61%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $26,390 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 50
About the Program
Ashland, Ohio is home to Ashland University, a private nonprofit university of 4,106 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 50 associate's degrees, a count at the 39th percentile for size. Across the whole college, 61% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 96% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees are $26,390 a year for every student, residents and nonresidents alike. Applicants are admitted at a rate of 76%, which leaves room for a rejection. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 96th percentile.
6
Hocking College
Ohio
51.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 37%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $5,396 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 51
About the Program
Based in Nelsonville, Ohio, Hocking College is a public community college with 1,486 students on its rolls. It conferred 51 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 39% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. A 37% graduation rate puts the college at the 56th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Expect tuition and fees of $5,396 a year as a resident and $9,810 otherwise. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 56th percentile.
7
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Ohio
50.6- Private nonprofit
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 75%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $32,630 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 25
About the Program
Steubenville, Ohio is home to Franciscan University of Steubenville, a private nonprofit university of 3,976 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 25 associate's degrees, a count at the 21st percentile for size. Its college-wide graduation rate is 75%, the 99th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Every student pays $32,630 a year in tuition and fees, since the institution sets one rate. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. Getting in is not automatic, because 58% of applicants are admitted. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 99th percentile.
8
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Ohio
48.8- Private nonprofit
- College graduation rate
- 68%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $25,559 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 17
About the Program
Mount Vernon, Ohio is home to Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a private nonprofit university of 1,671 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 17 associate's degrees, a count at the 12th percentile for size. Across the whole college, 68% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 99% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees are $25,559 a year for every student, residents and nonresidents alike. Applicants are admitted at a rate of 84%, which leaves room for a rejection. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 99th percentile.
9
Stark State College
Ohio
48.0- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 23%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,670 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 291
About the Program
North Canton, Ohio is home to Stark State College, a public community college of 10,128 students. It conferred 291 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 82% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Stark State College, 23% graduate, and that beats 15 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees are $4,670 a year for residents and $7,766 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 69% of programs at this level. The degree can be finished entirely online, which suits anyone who cannot move or stop working. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 82nd percentile.
10
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Ohio
43.9- Private nonprofit
- College graduation rate
- 56%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $17,982 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 10
About the Program
Some 717 students attend The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, a private nonprofit college in Cincinnati, Ohio. The program's last federal report shows 10 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 2 in every 100 programs measured here. Of the students who start at The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 56% graduate, and that beats 92 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents and nonresidents are both charged $17,982 a year in tuition and fees. Getting in is not automatic, because 59% of applicants are admitted. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 92nd percentile.
11
Marion Technical College
Ohio
43.1- Public
- College graduation rate
- 31%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,475 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 90
About the Program
Marion Technical College is a public college in Marion, Ohio that enrolls 3,346 students. It conferred 90 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 55% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Across the whole college, 31% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 37% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees run $6,475 a year in state against $11,065 out of state, so on price it sits at the 42nd percentile. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 55th percentile.
12
Washington State College of Ohio
Ohio
42.8- Public
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $4,128 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 10
About the Program
Marietta, Ohio is home to Washington State College of Ohio, a public college of 2,025 students. It conferred 10 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 2% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 32%, the 41st percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees are $4,128 a year for residents and $4,152 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 79% of programs at this level. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 79th percentile.
13
Gods Bible School and College
Ohio
41.4- Private nonprofit
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 40%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $7,696 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 16
About the Program
Some 431 students attend Gods Bible School and College, a private nonprofit college in Cincinnati, Ohio. It conferred 16 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 11% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Across the whole college, 40% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 65% of the institutions behind this list. Residents and nonresidents are both charged $7,696 a year in tuition and fees. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. Getting in is not automatic, because 75% of applicants are admitted. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 65th percentile.
14
Ohio State University-Newark Campus
Ohio
41.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 29%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,212 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 355
About the Program
Newark, Ohio is home to Ohio State University-Newark Campus, a public university of 2,544 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 355 associate's degrees, a count at the 86th percentile for size. Across the whole college, 29% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 29% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees run $9,212 a year in state against $34,718 out of state, so on price it sits at the 22nd percentile. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 86th percentile.
15
University of Cincinnati-Clermont College
Ohio
39.0- Public
- College graduation rate
- 24%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,448 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 191
About the Program
Based in Batavia, Ohio, University of Cincinnati-Clermont College is a public university with 9,479 students on its rolls. Some 191 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 75% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 24% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 17% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees run $6,448 a year in state against $13,680 out of state, so on price it sits at the 42nd percentile. Its strongest mark is the number of degrees it awards, at the 75th percentile.
16
Miami University-Middletown
Ohio
35.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,848 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 26
About the Program
Based in Middletown, Ohio, Miami University-Middletown is a public university with 1,190 students on its rolls. During the most recent year on record it awarded 26 associate's degrees, a count at the 23rd percentile for size. Across the whole college, 32% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 41% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $6,848 a year as a resident and $18,104 otherwise. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 41st percentile.
17
Ohio State University-Marion Campus
Ohio
33.6- Public
- College graduation rate
- 27%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,212 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 121
About the Program
Based in Marion, Ohio, Ohio State University-Marion Campus is a public university with 849 students on its rolls. It conferred 121 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 65% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Across the whole college, 27% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 24% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $9,212 a year as a resident and $34,718 otherwise. On the number of degrees it awards it does best, reaching the 65th percentile.
18
University of Rio Grande
Ohio
32.4- Private nonprofit
- College graduation rate
- 36%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $20,560 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 30
About the Program
Based in Rio Grande, Ohio, University of Rio Grande is a private nonprofit university with 2,258 students on its rolls. It conferred 30 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 26% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Across the whole college, 36% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 53% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees hold at $20,560 a year whichever state you come from. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 53rd percentile.
19
Miami University-Hamilton
Ohio
29.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 25%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $6,848 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 47
About the Program
Some 2,480 students attend Miami University-Hamilton, a public university in Hamilton, Ohio. During the most recent year on record it awarded 47 associate's degrees, a count at the 37th percentile for size. A 25% graduation rate puts the college at the 19th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees are $6,848 a year for residents and $18,104 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 38% of programs at this level. Its strongest mark is price, at the 38th percentile.
20
Ohio Christian University
Ohio
27.0- Private nonprofit
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 34%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $17,990 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 18
About the Program
Based in Circleville, Ohio, Ohio Christian University is a private nonprofit university with 1,431 students on its rolls. During the most recent year on record it awarded 18 associate's degrees, a count at the 13th percentile for size. Of the students who start at Ohio Christian University, 34% graduate, and that beats 48 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees are $17,990 a year for every student, residents and nonresidents alike. The degree can be finished entirely online, which suits anyone who cannot move or stop working. Applicants are admitted at a rate of 38%, which leaves room for a rejection. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 48th percentile.
21
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus
Ohio
24.9- Public
- College graduation rate
- 15%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,212 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 146
About the Program
Mansfield, Ohio is home to Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus, a public university of 849 students. Some 146 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 69% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 15% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 2% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $9,212 a year as a resident and $34,718 otherwise. What lifts it most is the number of degrees it awards, where it reaches the 69th percentile.
22
Ohio State University-Lima Campus
Ohio
24.1- Public
- College graduation rate
- 23%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $9,212 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 58
About the Program
Based in Lima, Ohio, Ohio State University-Lima Campus is a public university with 723 students on its rolls. During the most recent year on record it awarded 58 associate's degrees, a count at the 43rd percentile for size. A 23% graduation rate puts the college at the 15th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Residents pay $9,212 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $34,718. On the number of degrees it awards it does best, reaching the 43rd percentile.
Other General Studies Associate Degrees in Ohio
The other general studies associate degrees in Ohio awarded fewer than 10 degrees in the latest year or did not report a figure the ranking uses, so they are listed here without a score. That says something about size and nothing on its own about quality.
| College | Degrees Awarded | Graduation Rate | Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont College, St Clairsville | 7 | 43% | $4,815 |
| Terra State Community College, Fremont | 5 | 39% | $5,660 |
| Shawnee State University, Portsmouth | 4 | 48% | $9,622 |
| Defiance College, Defiance | 2 | 31% | $38,778 |
| Allegheny Wesleyan College, Salem | 1 | 46% | $6,800 |
| The University of Findlay, Findlay | 1 | 58% | $39,646 |
| Eastern Gateway Community College, Steubenville | 1 | $4,385 | |
| Malone University, Canton | 1 | 45% | $36,120 |
| University of Northwestern Ohio, Lima | 1 | 54% | $12,641 |
Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Graduation rate is the college's, for first-time, full-time students.
How Much Does a General Studies Associate Degree Cost in Ohio?
A general studies associate degree in Ohio costs $9,212 a year in resident tuition and required fees at the median of the 31 programs, which is the rate at the four Ohio State regional campuses, and the range runs from $4,128 at Washington State College of Ohio in Marietta to $39,646 at the University of Findlay, which awarded one degree. Most public colleges sit far below the median, from Sinclair at $4,569 and Stark State at $4,670 up to the Miami regional campuses at $6,848, and only Shawnee State ($9,622) and the University of Toledo ($11,742) charge more than the Ohio State campuses. The ranked private colleges run from $7,696 at Gods Bible School and College to $32,630 at Franciscan.
The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is the state's need-based aid, open under Ohio Revised Code 3333.122 to Ohio residents with an expected family contribution of $3,750 or less. What matters at a two-year college is proration: a grant for less than full-time enrollment is based on the number of credit hours you're enrolled for, so a student taking two classes at Stark State or Sinclair gets a share rather than nothing.
Will a General Studies Associate Degree Transfer in Ohio?
A general studies associate degree will transfer in Ohio as a completed Ohio Transfer 36 general education block if it's an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science from a public college, and with general education to make up if it's an Associate of Individualized Study. Anyone who completes the Ohio Transfer 36 at one public institution is considered to have met the Ohio Transfer 36 requirements of the receiving institution, and an AA or AS from an Ohio public institution with an overall 2.0 GPA and a passing grade in each Ohio Transfer 36 course meets it. Ohio Revised Code 3333.16 adds that graduates with an approved transfer module shall be admitted to a state institution, and Guaranteed Transfer Pathways graduates enter a bachelor's program with junior standing and finish in approximately 60 additional credit hours.
Ohio defines the Associate of Individualized Study as an individually planned program serving an educational objective that could not be served through another degree program, and classes it as an applied degree, so the full Ohio Transfer 36 has to be inside the degree for general education to arrive finished. Ask which degree the college awards.
Reverse transfer runs under Credit When It's Due: with your permission, participating colleges exchange records to award an associate degree or certificate from credit earned before and after you began your current enrollment.
What Do Jobs With a General Studies Associate Degree Pay in Ohio?
Jobs open to a general studies associate degree in Ohio pay the state medians below, from the May 2025 federal wage survey, with the national median beside each for comparison. Each row links to the salary guide for that job.
How to Choose a General Studies Associate Degree Program in Ohio
How to choose a general studies associate degree program in Ohio starts with the public and private split, because the trade-off here is price against completion. On the public side, Washington State College of Ohio at $4,128 graduates 32%, Sinclair at $4,569 graduates 41%, Rhodes State at $4,657 graduates 47%, Stark State at $4,670 graduates 23% and Hocking at $5,396 graduates 37%, with the University of Toledo the exception at 57% for $11,742. On the private side, Franciscan (75%), Mount Vernon Nazarene (68%) and Ashland (61%) charge $25,559 to $32,630, while Gods Bible School and College graduates 40% at $7,696.
Four of the ranked programs have a fully online option: Stark State ($4,670), Gods Bible School and College ($7,696), Ohio Christian University ($17,990) and Franciscan ($32,630). If you plan to continue to a bachelor's, ask whether the degree is an AA, an AS or an Associate of Individualized Study, because Ohio classes the AIS as an applied degree whose graduates usually need additional general education courses before an AA, AS or bachelor's program, and whether the full Ohio Transfer 36 block is included. At an Ohio State regional campus, ask how general studies graduates move on to a bachelor's.
If you plan to finish a bachelor's in the state, the general studies bachelor's degrees in Ohio have their own page.