Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2023

Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2023

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Ohio provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

10 Best Public Colleges in Ohio

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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.

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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

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 25 public universities in Ohio. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Ohio, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.

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Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2022

  1. #2

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/26

    University of Cincinnati’s Online Degrees

    BBS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Respiratory Therapy
    • Required Credits: 50
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • RN-BSN
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Radiation Science Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Technical and Applied Studies (BTAS)
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Information Management
    • Required Credits: 52
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Law & Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Pre-Occupational Therapy
    • Required Credits: 52
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 57
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Fire Science & Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Substance Abuse Counseling
    • Required Credits: 60-120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Networking and Systems
    • Software Application Development
    • Cybersecurity
    • Game Development and Simulation
    • Data Technologies
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Health Sciences
    • Required Credits: 59
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/22

    University of Akron’s Online Degrees

    BS in Organizational Supervision
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Management And Homeland Security
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Relations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 31
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1097/23

  4. #11

    Youngstown State University

    Youngstown , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/21

    Youngstown State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice
    Degree Concentrations
    • Generalist Track
    • Required Credits: 57
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 28
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSAS in Applied Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Allied Health
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #12

    Central State University

    Wilberforce , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    59%

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    4K

  6. #13

    Shawnee State University

    Portsmouth , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Shawnee State University known for?

    Shawnee State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  7. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    3K

    What is University of Cincinnati Clermont College known for?

    University of Cincinnati Clermont College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    University of Cincinnati Clermont College’s Online Degrees

    BTAS in Technical And Applied Students
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #15

    Miami University Middletown

    Middletown , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    19%

    Student body

    1K

    What is Miami University Middletown known for?

    Miami University Middletown’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  9. #16

    Kent State University at Stark

    North Canton , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    2K

    What is Kent State University at Stark known for?

    Kent State University at Stark’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  10. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Kent State University at Ashtabula known for?

    Kent State University at Ashtabula’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  11. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    19%

    Student body

    2K

    What is Miami University Hamilton known for?

    Miami University Hamilton’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Miami University Hamilton’s Online Degrees

    BS in Commerce
    Degree Concentrations
    • Small Business Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Health Communication
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Information Technology
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    19%

    Student body

    1K

    What is Ohio University Southern Campus known for?

    Ohio University Southern Campus’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  13. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Kent State University at Salem known for?

    Kent State University at Salem’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  14. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    2K

    What is Ohio State University at Newark known for?

    Ohio State University at Newark’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  15. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    18%

    Student body

    1K

    What is Ohio University – Chillicothe known for?

    Ohio University – Chillicothe’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  16. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    15%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Ohio State University at Mansfield known for?

    Ohio State University at Mansfield’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  17. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    15%

    Student body

    1K

    What is Ohio State University at Marion known for?

    Ohio State University at Marion’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  18. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Ohio State University at Lima known for?

    Ohio State University at Lima’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Ohio’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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. University of Cincinnati
  2. Ohio State University
  3. Ohio University
  4. Bowling Green State University
  5. Miami University
  6. Cleveland State University
  7. Kent State University
  8. University of Toledo
  9. University of Akron
  10. Ohio State University at Mansfield

Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.

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