Ohio Northern University vs Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus: which has better ROI?
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $32,394 in 2.7 years versus 3 years at Ohio Northern University, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $80,928 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ohio Northern University | Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,478 | $16,197 |
| Total net cost | $97,912 | $32,394 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,928 | $60,409 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $19,976 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 2.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $553,448 | $208,586 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ohio Northern University or Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus?
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus, at $16,197 a year after aid versus $24,478 — a gap of $8,281 a year, or $65,518 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ohio Northern University or Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus graduates earn more?
Ohio Northern University graduates report a median $80,928 ten years after entry, $20,519 more than the $60,409 at Ohio State University-Mansfield 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, Ohio Northern University or Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus?
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Ohio Northern University, a difference of $7,024. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Ohio Northern University, against 15% at Ohio State University-Mansfield 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.