Ohio University-Lancaster Campus vs Ohio State University-Lima Campus: which has better ROI?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,760 in 4.3 years versus 5.4 years at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $52,581 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ohio University-Lancaster Campus | Ohio State University-Lima Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,650 | $12,940 |
| Total net cost | $22,600 | $51,760 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,581 | $60,409 |
| Median debt | $21,056 | $19,976 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 4.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $61,820 | $189,220 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ohio University-Lancaster Campus or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus, at $5,650 a year after aid versus $12,940 — a gap of $7,290 a year, or $29,160 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 University-Lancaster Campus or Ohio State University-Lima Campus graduates earn more?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus graduates report a median $60,409 ten years after entry, $7,828 more than the $52,581 at Ohio University-Lancaster 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 University-Lancaster Campus or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $21,056 at Ohio University-Lancaster 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?
23% of students finish at Ohio State University-Lima Campus, against 14% at Ohio University-Lancaster 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.