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Ohio State University-Marion Campus vs Ohio University-Zanesville Campus: which has better ROI?

Public, Marion OH · vs · Public, Zanesville OH

The verdict

Ohio State University-Marion Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $22,976 in 1.9 years versus 2.7 years at Ohio University-Zanesville Campus, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $52,581 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOhio State University-Marion CampusOhio University-Zanesville Campus
Net price / yr$11,488$5,746
Total net cost$22,976$11,492
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,409$52,581
Median debt$19,976$21,056
Payback1.9 yrs2.7 yrs
20-year net return$218,004$72,928

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

Which is cheaper, Ohio State University-Marion Campus or Ohio University-Zanesville Campus?

Ohio University-Zanesville Campus, at $5,746 a year after aid versus $11,488 — a gap of $5,742 a year, or $11,484 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-Marion Campus or Ohio University-Zanesville Campus graduates earn more?

Ohio State University-Marion Campus graduates report a median $60,409 ten years after entry, $7,828 more than the $52,581 at Ohio University-Zanesville 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-Marion Campus or Ohio University-Zanesville Campus?

Ohio State University-Marion Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $21,056 at Ohio University-Zanesville Campus, a difference of $1,080. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

27% of students finish at Ohio State University-Marion Campus, against 22% at Ohio University-Zanesville 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-Marion Campus vs Ohio University-Zanesville Campus: frequently asked questions

Is Ohio State University-Marion Campus or Ohio University-Zanesville Campus a better value?
Ohio State University-Marion Campus. It clears its $22,976 net cost in about 1.9 years versus 2.7 years at Ohio University-Zanesville Campus, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $52,581 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ohio State University-Marion Campus or Ohio University-Zanesville Campus?
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus: $5,746/yr net price after aid versus $11,488/yr at Ohio State University-Marion Campus — a difference of $5,742 a year, or about $11,484 over four years.
Do Ohio State University-Marion Campus or Ohio University-Zanesville Campus graduates earn more?
Ohio State University-Marion Campus graduates earn a median $60,409 ten years after entry, versus $52,581 at Ohio University-Zanesville Campus — a $7,828 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.