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Ohio Northern University vs Ohio University-Southern Campus: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Ada OH · vs · Public, Ironton OH

The verdict

Ohio University-Southern Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $11,986 in 2.8 years versus 3 years at Ohio Northern University, on median earnings of $52,581 vs $80,928 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOhio Northern UniversityOhio University-Southern Campus
Net price / yr$24,478$5,993
Total net cost$97,912$11,986
Median earnings, 10 yrs$80,928$52,581
Median debt$27,000$21,056
Payback3 yrs2.8 yrs
20-year net return$553,448$72,434

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Ohio Northern University or Ohio University-Southern Campus?

Ohio University-Southern Campus, at $5,993 a year after aid versus $24,478 — a gap of $18,485 a year, or $85,926 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 University-Southern Campus graduates earn more?

Ohio Northern University graduates report a median $80,928 ten years after entry, $28,347 more than the $52,581 at Ohio University-Southern 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 University-Southern Campus?

Ohio University-Southern Campus: its completers carry a median $21,056 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Ohio Northern University, a difference of $5,944. 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 21% at Ohio University-Southern 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.

Ohio Northern University vs Ohio University-Southern Campus: frequently asked questions

Is Ohio Northern University or Ohio University-Southern Campus a better value?
Ohio University-Southern Campus. It clears its $11,986 net cost in about 2.8 years versus 3 years at Ohio Northern University, on median earnings of $52,581 vs $80,928 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ohio Northern University or Ohio University-Southern Campus?
Ohio University-Southern Campus: $5,993/yr net price after aid versus $24,478/yr at Ohio Northern University — a difference of $18,485 a year, or about $85,926 over four years.
Do Ohio Northern University or Ohio University-Southern Campus graduates earn more?
Ohio Northern University graduates earn a median $80,928 ten years after entry, versus $52,581 at Ohio University-Southern Campus — a $28,347 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.