Why This Matters

  • 106 COLLEGES IN OHIO

    According to College Navigator, there are 37 public colleges, 62 private non-profit colleges, and seven public for-profit colleges in Ohio.

  • $11,670 AVERAGE IN-STATE TUITION & FEES

    According to College Board, the average cost to study at the undergraduate level in Ohio during the 2020-21 school year is $11,670.

  • $14,940 FINANCIAL AID PER U.S. STUDENT

    During the 2019-20 school year, the average amount awarded to U.S. students pursuing a bachelor’s degree was $14,940.

Our Research

This list includes the best colleges in Ohio. We evaluated large research universities, medium-sized colleges, and liberal arts programs. Factors we considered include the cost of tuition, the number of credits required to graduate, and how coursework is delivered (online, in-person, or hybrid).

Schools on our list are accredited to ensure they uphold specific academic standards. Accreditation is given at the national and regional levels to colleges that prepare students for the global workforce. The Ohio colleges on this list are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 65 hours to write this article
  • 188 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 239 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Colleges in Ohio

Best Colleges In Ohio
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What You Should Know About Graduating From College in Ohio

Understanding post-graduation employment opportunities can be helpful when determining which state you should study in. Gain insight into the job market by researching the biggest industries in Ohio. According to an October 2020 survey, the top five industries in Ohio are trade, transportation and utilities; education and health services; goods-producing services; government; and professional and business services.

There are many high-earning jobs available to individuals in Ohio who hold a bachelor’s degree. The five fastest-growing careers in Ohio are information security analyst, operations research analyst, personal financial advisor, actuary, and real estate appraiser.

To determine your future job outlook in Ohio, it’s important to know the key players when it comes to employment. Companies on the list of top 50 employers in Ohio include Ohio State University, GE Lighting, Procter & Gamble, University of Cincinnati, Tri Health, Cleveland Clinic Health System, and Nationwide Mutual Insurance.

What’s Next?

There is federal and state aid available to help with college tuition fees and other academic-related costs. Below you’ll find information to help you learn more about the financial aid opportunities available to you and how to apply.

  • Ohio Department of Higher Education. The Ohio Department of Higher Education manages all state-funded financial programs. Information about studying in Ohio, as well as a comprehensive list of state grants and scholarships, is available through their website.
  • Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled in a college degree program may be eligible for aid distributed by the U.S. Department of Education. Visit the Federal Student Aid website to determine your eligibility and apply using the free online FAFSA form.
  • CareerOneStop. Search through more than 8,000 financial aid opportunities, including scholarships and grants, via CareerOneStop. You can use the filter options to narrow your search by state and degree level. All scholarships listed include information about eligibility requirements, the monetary amount awarded, and application deadlines.