Mercy College of Ohio vs Ohio State University-Lima Campus: which has better ROI?
Mercy College of Ohio has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,956 in 4.2 years versus 4.3 years at Ohio State University-Lima Campus, on median earnings of $65,409 vs $60,409 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mercy College of Ohio | Ohio State University-Lima Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,989 | $12,940 |
| Total net cost | $71,956 | $51,760 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,409 | $60,409 |
| Median debt | $20,834 | $19,976 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 4.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $269,024 | $189,220 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mercy College of Ohio or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus, at $12,940 a year after aid versus $17,989 — a gap of $5,049 a year, or $20,196 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mercy College of Ohio or Ohio State University-Lima Campus graduates earn more?
Mercy College of Ohio graduates report a median $65,409 ten years after entry, $5,000 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, Mercy College of Ohio or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $20,834 at Mercy College of Ohio, a difference of $858. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Mercy College of Ohio, 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.