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Ohio State University-Lima Campus vs Kettering College: which has better ROI?

Public, Lima OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Kettering OH

The verdict

Ohio State University-Lima Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,760 in 4.3 years versus 4.5 years at Kettering College, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $67,492 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOhio State University-Lima CampusKettering College
Net price / yr$12,940$21,650
Total net cost$51,760$86,600
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,409$67,492
Median debt$19,976$23,500
Payback4.3 yrs4.5 yrs
20-year net return$189,220$296,040

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

Which is cheaper, Ohio State University-Lima Campus or Kettering College?

Ohio State University-Lima Campus, at $12,940 a year after aid versus $21,650 — a gap of $8,710 a year, or $34,840 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 State University-Lima Campus or Kettering College graduates earn more?

Kettering College graduates report a median $67,492 ten years after entry, $7,083 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, Ohio State University-Lima Campus or Kettering College?

Ohio State University-Lima Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $23,500 at Kettering College, a difference of $3,524. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Kettering College, 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.

Ohio State University-Lima Campus vs Kettering College: frequently asked questions

Is Ohio State University-Lima Campus or Kettering College a better value?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus. It clears its $51,760 net cost in about 4.3 years versus 4.5 years at Kettering College, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $67,492 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ohio State University-Lima Campus or Kettering College?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus: $12,940/yr net price after aid versus $21,650/yr at Kettering College — a difference of $8,710 a year, or about $34,840 over four years.
Do Ohio State University-Lima Campus or Kettering College graduates earn more?
Kettering College graduates earn a median $67,492 ten years after entry, versus $60,409 at Ohio State University-Lima Campus — a $7,083 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.