Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Ohio. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Regional accreditation is important when choosing an online bachelor’s degree program. Credits from an accredited college can be transferred and are typically professionally recognized. The Higher Learning Commission accredits schools in Ohio and 18 other states using five standards of excellence, which include integrity and institutional effectiveness.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Ohio
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Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Ohio
Does Ohio have good online colleges and universities?
Yes. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as Ohio State University’s Online Associate in Early Childhood Development and Education and the University of Cincinnati’s Online Bachelor’s in Communication. After you graduate, you may want to consider staying in Ohio to complete a master’s degree while you work in one of the state’s many growing fields. Ohio is rich in graduate school options, like Case Western Reserve University’s Online Master’s in Engineering and the University of Akron’s Online Master’s in Business Administration.
It’s also worth mentioning that we selected Ohio State University as one of the 30 best schools in the entire United States for distance education. For more information, check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges. In addition to showing you the top options in the country for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in Ohio cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some schools offer discounted rates for online courses, while others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. Ohio became a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) in 2015. This means that out-of-state students who live in a SARA-participating state can take online courses from Ohio schools without incurring additional fees.
Why should you choose Ohio for online higher education?
From affordable community colleges to top public research universities, Ohio offers something for every type of online college student. One option that stands out as particularly appealing is Ashland University, which offers a wide variety of online degree and certificate programs.
The Cost of Online College in Ohio
How much does an online degree in Ohio cost?
The cost of an online degree in Ohio depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree you decide to pursue. For example, undergraduate degrees are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you’ll probably find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save money on indirect expenses, such as transportation and housing, by earning your college degree online.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the lowest and highest rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Ohio below:
Most affordable online college in Ohio: Ohio University, $312 per credit
Most expensive online college in Ohio: Xavier University, $755 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Ohio to get in-state tuition rates?
Typically, you will be eligible for in-state tuition rates after you have lived in Ohio for 12 consecutive months. Some groups, such as military veterans, tribal members, and graduate fellows, are entitled to in-state tuition rates without meeting this one-year requirement. Ohio also offers a unique initiative called Forever Buckeyes, which extends in-state tuition rates to Ohio high school graduates who leave the state but return to attend an undergraduate or graduate program at an Ohio college.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Ohio?
The Ohio Department of Higher Education started the Ohio College Opportunity Grant in 2007 to provide money to Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need (as determined by the results of the FAFSA). Ohio residents enrolled in an associate degree, first bachelor’s degree, or nurse diploma program at an eligible Ohio or Pennsylvania institution are eligible. You must have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $2,190 or less and a maximum household income of $96,000.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Ohio
If you don’t qualify for the Ohio College Opportunity Grant, there are many other sources of financial support available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are based on income, while others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent scholarship options for you below:
Horatio Alger State Scholarship
This scholarship program, named after American author Horatio Alger, is offered to students who exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Recipients may begin their studies at a two-year institution and later transfer to a four-year institution.
Who’s eligible? High school juniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA, financial need, and Ohio residency.
Contact information: [email protected] | 844-422-4200
Jane Edna Hunter Scholarship
This scholarship is named after the late Jane Edna Hunter, an African American social worker from South Carolina who established what’s now known as the Phillis Wheatley Association of Cleveland. It’s open to full-time undergraduate women who are residents of Ohio or South Carolina.
Who’s eligible? Applicants cannot be employees or dependents of employees of KeyBank National Association or any of its affiliates.
Contact information: [email protected] | 216-329-9480
Cleveland Foundation Scholarships
The Cleveland Foundation, in partnership with College Now Greater Cleveland, offers more than 60 scholarships per year to Ohio students. These scholarships vary in criteria and scope, but only one application is needed.
Who’s eligible? Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be enrolled in an accredited nonprofit educational institution.
Contact information: [email protected] | 216-241-5587
5 Fastest Growing Careers in Ohio
If you still don’t know where you’ll attend college, it’s possible you also don’t know your major yet. In that case, one of the most important factors that you should consider is which industries are growing the fastest in Ohio — this will make it easier to find a job, and more demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By consulting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Long-Term Occupational Projections (2020–2030), we’ve determined that the following five careers have some of the highest projected growth rates in Ohio:
Nurse Practitioners
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with an emphasis on preventative care and health education. They are quickly becoming many Americans’ preferred primary care professionals. NPs tend to be well-compensated; in Ohio, they earn an average salary of $117,440.
- Growth: 48.6%
- Degree options: Master’s in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Science
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) support occupational therapists in their patient care, helping people regain the ability to carry out their daily activities. OTAs typically have at least an associate degree and earn an average yearly salary of $64,080 in Ohio.
- Growth: 31.4%
- Degree options: Associate in Occupational Therapy Assistance
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants (PAs) are one of the most in-demand health professionals. They work under physicians to support patient care, and they must complete extensive education and medical training. They are not as highly compensated as physicians, but they still make six-figure salaries. The average annual PA salary in Ohio is $117,200.
- Growth: 28.5%
- Degree options: Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies
Information Security Analysts
Information security analysts monitor and manage an organization’s computer networks and systems. Specifically, information security analysts keep an organization’s data safe. As cybersecurity and information security become increasingly important in our digital world, security analysts are in high demand. They are also well-compensated, making an average annual salary of $105,960 in Ohio.
- Growth: 26.5%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Bachelor’s in Engineering, Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Master’s in Cybersecurity, Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Engineering, Master’s in Mathematics, Master’s in Computer Engineering
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Market research analysts and marketing specialists use data to understand consumer preferences and tailor a company’s marketing campaigns to what will bring the greatest return on investment. In Ohio, market research analysts and marketing specialists make an average salary of $71,010.
- Growth: 17.5%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Marketing, Bachelor’s in Communications, Bachelor’s in Market Research, Bachelor’s in Statistics, Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA)