Best Colleges in Ohio 2026

Badge for BEST IN OHIO COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Here are the best colleges and universities in Ohio. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

Colleges and Universities in Ohio

Ohio offers over 120 colleges and universities for students to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. The largest school in the state, Ohio State University, a public institution, serves almost 55,000 students. This university has five regional campuses, which have graduated alumni like writer Harlan Ellison and Wikipedia cofounder Larry Sanger. The majority of Ohio’s schools, however, are private.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Tuition at these schools varies greatly, with costs as low as $7,000 at God’s Bible School and College, and as high as $56,000 at Kenyon University. The state is also home to nearly 40 higher education institutes with religious affiliations, offering plenty of options for students aiming to blend their faith with higher education. Although tuition costs in Ohio are higher than the national average, Ohio provides several loan forgiveness programs to those pursuing careers as public defenders and prosecutors, dentists, nurses, primary care physicians, and mental health providers. Many of these programs require individuals to work in shortage areas around the state for a certain time period in order to qualify.

If you’re someone with a wide variety of interests, Ohio might just be the place for you. In The Buckeye State, individuals can visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, take a trip through Amish Country, attend a professional sporting event, and hike waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It seems this state has something for everyone, including those pursuing a higher education degree.

Learn more about the numerous excellent degree paths and career prospects available in Ohio.


What are Ohio’s Colleges & Universities?

Ohio’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Ohio's Best Colleges and Universities Badge
Download Badge

We’ve identified 66 colleges and universities in Ohio that meet our criteria. This list of the top 30 colleges in Ohio below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Ohio.

Back to Top

Best Colleges in Ohio 2023

  1. #1

    Ohio State University

    Columbus , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    65K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1395/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Ohio State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,859
    Expenses: $18,372
    Starting Salary: $67,080
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    37%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1485/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Case Western Reserve University

    Cost of Degree: $64,678
    Expenses: $21,402
    Starting Salary: $89,865
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Oberlin College

    Cost of Degree: $64,646
    Expenses: $22,758
    Starting Salary: $60,877
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #4

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1265/26

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Cincinnati

    Cost of Degree: $12,906
    Expenses: $19,772
    Starting Salary: $60,832
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Cincinnati’s Online Degrees

    BBS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
      BS in Respiratory Therapy
      • Required Credits: 50
      • Completion Time: 1-2 years
      • Format: Fully online
      BSN in Nursing
      Degree Concentrations
      • RN-BSN
      • Completion Time: 9 months, or two semesters
      BS in Radiation Science Technology
      • Required Credits: 60
      • Format: Fully online
      BAS in Technical and Applied Studies (BTAS)
      • Required Credits: 60
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Health Information Management
      • Required Credits: 52
      • Completion Time: 24 months
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Law & Paralegal Studies
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Completion Time: 4 years
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Pre-Occupational Therapy
      • Required Credits: 52
      • Completion Time: 2-4 years
      • Format: Fully online
      BA in Communication
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Social Work
      • Required Credits: 57
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Fire Science & Emergency Management
        BS in Substance Abuse Counseling
        • Required Credits: 60-120
        • Completion Time: 2-4 years
        • Format: Fully online
        BS in Information Technology
        Degree Concentrations
        • Networking and Systems
        • Software Application Development
        • Cybersecurity
        • Game Development and Simulation
        • Data Technologies
          BS in Health Sciences
          • Required Credits: 59
          • Completion Time: 2-4 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BS in Medical Laboratory Science
          • Required Credits: 60
          • Completion Time: 2-3 years
          • Format: Fully online
        • #5

          Miami University

          Oxford , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $19K

          Acceptance

          75%

          Graduation

          81%

          Student body

          20K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1305/27

          Career Outlook for degree at Miami University

          Cost of Degree: $17,060
          Expenses: $20,948
          Starting Salary: $63,814
          Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #6

          Ohio University

          Athens , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $15K

          Acceptance

          85%

          Graduation

          65%

          Student body

          29K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1190/25

          Career Outlook for degree at Ohio University

          Cost of Degree: $13,746
          Expenses: $17,350
          Starting Salary: $61,938
          Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • Tuition + fees

          $14K

          Acceptance

          86%

          Graduation

          51%

          Student body

          33K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1125/21

          Career Outlook for degree at Kent State University

          Cost of Degree: $11,767
          Expenses: $18,972
          Starting Salary: $51,178
          Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #8

          Kenyon College

          Gambier , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $72K

          Acceptance

          31%

          Graduation

          86%

          Student body

          2K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1430/32

          Career Outlook for degree at Kenyon College

          Cost of Degree: $69,330
          Expenses: $18,260
          Starting Salary: $65,780
          Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • Tuition + fees

          $14K

          Acceptance

          60%

          Graduation

          53%

          Student body

          15K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1045/21

          Career Outlook for degree at University of Akron

          Cost of Degree: $12,799
          Expenses: $15,866
          Starting Salary: $51,221
          Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary

          University of Akron’s Online Degrees

          BS in Organizational Supervision
          • Required Credits: 62
          • Completion Time: 4 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
          • Required Credits: 120
          • Completion Time: 4 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BS in Emergency Management And Homeland Security
          • Required Credits: 120
          • Completion Time: 4 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BA in Public Communication
          • Required Credits: 120
          • Completion Time: 4 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BA in Public Relations
          • Required Credits: 120
          • Completion Time: 4 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BA in Sociology
          • Required Credits: 120
          • Completion Time: 4 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
          • Required Credits: 31
          • Completion Time: 2 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BS in Allied Healthcare Administration
          • Required Credits: 120
          • Completion Time: 4 years
          • Format: Fully online
        • #10

          University of Dayton

          Dayton , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $51K

          Acceptance

          65%

          Graduation

          80%

          Student body

          12K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1290/28

          Career Outlook for degree at University of Dayton

          Cost of Degree: $47,600
          Expenses: $19,665
          Starting Salary: $83,775
          Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #11

          Bowling Green State University

          Bowling Green , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $15K

          Acceptance

          81%

          Graduation

          66%

          Student body

          20K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1105/22

          Career Outlook for degree at Bowling Green State University

          Cost of Degree: $13,390
          Expenses: $17,618
          Starting Salary: $52,269
          Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #12

          University of Toledo

          Toledo , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $13K

          Acceptance

          92%

          Graduation

          58%

          Student body

          17K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1200/26

          Career Outlook for degree at University of Toledo

          Cost of Degree: $11,742
          Expenses: $19,932
          Starting Salary: $55,537
          Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • Tuition + fees

          $13K

          Acceptance

          91%

          Graduation

          51%

          Student body

          17K

          Career Outlook for degree at Cleveland State University

          Cost of Degree: $12,613
          Expenses: $19,430
          Starting Salary: $56,979
          Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #14

          Denison University

          Granville , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $71K

          Acceptance

          17%

          Graduation

          78%

          Student body

          3K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1405/31

          Career Outlook for degree at Denison University

          Cost of Degree: $64,000
          Expenses: $17,900
          Starting Salary: $73,151
          Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #15

          Ohio Wesleyan University

          Delaware , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $55K

          Acceptance

          56%

          Graduation

          64%

          Student body

          1K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1227/28

          Career Outlook for degree at Ohio Wesleyan University

          Cost of Degree: $52,296
          Expenses: $17,026
          Starting Salary: $61,905
          Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #16

          Xavier University

          Cincinnati , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $53K

          Acceptance

          86%

          Graduation

          71%

          Student body

          7K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1206/25

          Career Outlook for degree at Xavier University

          Cost of Degree: $48,126
          Expenses: $18,320
          Starting Salary: $69,118
          Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary

          Xavier University’s Online Degrees

          BA in Organizational Leadership
          Degree Concentrations
          • Business
          • Communication
          • Information Systems
          • Required Credits: 105-11
          • Completion Time: 4 years
          • Format: Fully online
        • Tuition + fees

          $12K

          Acceptance

          96%

          Graduation

          42%

          Student body

          11K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1071/21

          Career Outlook for degree at Wright State University

          Cost of Degree: $10,614
          Expenses: $15,670
          Starting Salary: $53,497
          Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #18

          John Carroll University

          University Heights , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $52K

          Acceptance

          81%

          Graduation

          74%

          Student body

          3K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1255/28

          Career Outlook for degree at John Carroll University

          Cost of Degree: $49,100
          Expenses: $18,610
          Starting Salary: $74,509
          Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #19

          Ashland University

          Ashland , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $33K

          Acceptance

          76%

          Graduation

          57%

          Student body

          5K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1121/22

          Career Outlook for degree at Ashland University

          Cost of Degree: $26,390
          Expenses: $15,468
          Starting Salary: $56,321
          Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #20

          College of Wooster

          Wooster , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $64K

          Acceptance

          60%

          Graduation

          71%

          Student body

          2K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1340/30

          Career Outlook for degree at College of Wooster

          Cost of Degree: $59,550
          Expenses: $16,250
          Starting Salary: $62,339
          Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #21

          Youngstown State University

          Youngstown , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $11K

          Acceptance

          84%

          Graduation

          53%

          Student body

          13K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1120/22

          Career Outlook for degree at Youngstown State University

          Cost of Degree: $9,757
          Expenses: $15,608
          Starting Salary: $46,691
          Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary

          Youngstown State University’s Online Degrees

          BS in Criminal Justice
          Degree Concentrations
          • Generalist Track
          • Required Credits: 57
          • Completion Time: 2-2.5 years
          BS in General Studies
          • Required Credits: 60
          • Completion Time: 2 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BS in Nursing
          • Required Credits: 28
          • Completion Time: 10 months
          • Format: Fully online
          BSAS in Applied Science
          Degree Concentrations
          • Allied Health
          • Required Credits: 60
          • Completion Time: 2.5 years
          • Format: Fully online
          BS in Respiratory Care
          • Required Credits: 72
          • Format: Fully online
        • #22

          Wittenberg University

          Springfield , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $47K

          Acceptance

          72%

          Graduation

          61%

          Student body

          1K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1127/24

          Career Outlook for degree at Wittenberg University

          Cost of Degree: $44,602
          Expenses: $14,762
          Starting Salary: $60,660
          Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #23

          Marietta College

          Marietta , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $41K

          Acceptance

          79%

          Graduation

          61%

          Student body

          1K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1120/20

          Career Outlook for degree at Marietta College

          Cost of Degree: $38,874
          Expenses: $15,874
          Starting Salary: $65,386
          Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #24

          Central State University

          Wilberforce , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $8K

          Acceptance

          99%

          Graduation

          21%

          Student body

          4K

          Career Outlook for degree at Central State University

          Cost of Degree: $7,824
          Expenses: $14,190
          Starting Salary: $36,832
          Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • Tuition + fees

          $36K

          Acceptance

          58%

          Graduation

          76%

          Student body

          5K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1230/25

          Career Outlook for degree at Franciscan University of Steubenville

          Cost of Degree: $32,630
          Expenses: $12,610
          Starting Salary: $53,660
          Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
          What is Franciscan University of Steubenville known for?

          Franciscan University of Steubenville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          Most Influential Alumni

        • Tuition + fees

          $42K

          Acceptance

          74%

          Graduation

          71%

          Student body

          3K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1287/26

          Career Outlook for degree at Ohio Northern University

          Cost of Degree: $37,600
          Expenses: $16,686
          Starting Salary: $82,743
          Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #27

          Capital University

          Columbus , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $44K

          Acceptance

          70%

          Graduation

          57%

          Student body

          3K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1045/21

          Career Outlook for degree at Capital University

          Cost of Degree: $41,788
          Expenses: $18,388
          Starting Salary: $58,937
          Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
          What is Capital University known for?

          Capital University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          Most Influential Alumni

        • Tuition + fees

          $38K

          Acceptance

          78%

          Graduation

          65%

          Student body

          3K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1075/21

          Career Outlook for degree at University of Mount Union

          Cost of Degree: $35,400
          Expenses: $14,576
          Starting Salary: $64,519
          Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #29

          Cedarville University

          Cedarville , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $38K

          Acceptance

          65%

          Graduation

          74%

          Student body

          6K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1245/25

          Career Outlook for degree at Cedarville University

          Cost of Degree: $36,078
          Expenses: $13,526
          Starting Salary: $65,805
          Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        • #30

          Tiffin University

          Tiffin , OH

          Tuition + fees

          $37K

          Acceptance

          80%

          Graduation

          42%

          Student body

          5K

          Median SAT/ACT

          1010/18

          Career Outlook for degree at Tiffin University

          Cost of Degree: $32,400
          Expenses: $16,150
          Starting Salary: $37,551
          Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
          Paid back at 15% of annual salary
          What is Tiffin University known for?

          Tiffin University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          Most Influential Alumni

        Back to Top

        Ohio’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

        2021 Ranking Archive

        Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

        1. Oberlin College
        2. Case Western Reserve University
        3. Kenyon College
        4. Denison University
        5. College of Wooster
        6. Ohio Wesleyan University
        7. John Carroll University
        8. University of Cincinnati
        9. Ohio State University
        10. Xavier University
        11. Hiram College
        12. Wittenberg University
        13. Malone University
        14. Ohio University
        15. Bowling Green State University
        16. Miami University
        17. University of Dayton
        18. University of Mount Union
        19. Marietta College
        20. Kent State University
        21. Otterbein University
        22. Ohio Northern University
        23. Franciscan University of Steubenville
        24. Ursuline College
        25. Ashland University
        26. Capital University
        27. Muskingum University
        28. Baldwin Wallace University
        29. Cedarville University
        30. University of Findlay
        31. Mount Vernon Nazarene University
        32. Walsh University
        33. Mount St. Joseph University
        Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here