Case Western Reserve University vs Ohio State University-Lima Campus: which has better ROI?
Case Western Reserve University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $164,760 in 4.2 years versus 4.3 years at Ohio State University-Lima Campus, on median earnings of $87,989 vs $60,409 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Case Western Reserve University | Ohio State University-Lima Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $41,190 | $12,940 |
| Total net cost | $164,760 | $51,760 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $87,989 | $60,409 |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $19,976 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 4.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $627,820 | $189,220 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Case Western Reserve University or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus, at $12,940 a year after aid versus $41,190 — a gap of $28,250 a year, or $113,000 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Case Western Reserve University or Ohio State University-Lima Campus graduates earn more?
Case Western Reserve University graduates report a median $87,989 ten years after entry, $27,580 more than the $60,409 at Ohio State University-Lima Campus. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Case Western Reserve University or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $24,000 at Case Western Reserve University, a difference of $4,024. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at Case Western Reserve University, against 23% at Ohio State University-Lima Campus. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.