Best Colleges in Ohio

The oldest university in Ohio, the University of Cincinnati educates approximately 46,000 students. The university's 14 schools and colleges boast undergraduate and graduate degrees in the arts and sciences, music, criminal justice, and medicine, among other fields. Online learners have more than 80 programs from which to choose. The University Honors Program provides this Ohio university's top 1,500 undergraduates the chance to perform research, volunteer in the local community, and network with peers.

Outside of class, learners can join a fraternity or sorority, participate in student government, and select from dozens of student clubs and organizations. UC is also home to many honor societies and intramural sports leagues.

Freshmen applicants must submit the Common Application, which includes an essay. UC accepts GED scores from transfer students who earned some credit at a community or two-year college. The university does not use a separate application for financial aid. The Cincinnatus Scholarship awards full tuition to incoming degree-seekers with an excellent high school GPA and exemplary standardized test scores.

University of Dayton students can learn on campus, online, or at the university's satellite campus in Suzhou, China. UD boasts five schools that award undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as health sciences, engineering, business administration, and law. The university emphasizes service learning, wherein learners travel abroad to study and give back to the local community.

Students can choose to join more than 250 organizations and clubs. UD hosts a chapter of Habitat for Humanity, along with many other volunteering associations, including American Red Cross Club, College Mentors for Kids, and ETHOS. Additionally, learners in good academic standing can join a fraternity or sorority.

Prospective undergraduates submit the Common Application and ACT or SAT scores. UD accepts applications for the fall semester and does not require a separate form for merit-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships award $56,000-$112,000 over four years.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University educates over 2,200 students on its several Mount Vernon campuses, as well as online. The vast majority of degree-seekers pursue an undergraduate program, and all learners enjoy a 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio. The most popular undergraduate majors include engineering, nursing, and business. MVNU designed its graduate programs for adult learners who are working full time or raising a family.

The MVNU Honors Program accepts incoming freshmen who earned a minimum 3.5 high school GPA and 26 ACT score. The specialized honors curriculum blends religious instruction and an honors seminar. As upperclassmen, honors students create an individualized research project, the results of which they present at the university's annual research symposium.

Although MVNU maintains a high acceptance rate, prospective degree-seekers should possess a competitive high school GPA and standardized test scores. Incoming degree-seekers with a 3.5 high school GPA and 33 ACT score may qualify for the University Scholars Fellowship, which awards full tuition. Applicants to this financial aid opportunity should attend an interview on campus.

Dating back to 1908, Youngstown State University hosts six undergraduate colleges that boast over 170 majors. Degree-seekers can customize a program by completing a minor in biomathematics, French, or gerontology, among many other subjects. Graduate students can choose from more than 50 degrees. Online programs at YSU include six undergraduate and 12 graduate degrees.

Student support services at YSU aim to help all learners achieve their academic and career goals. This begins with first-year students attending orientation, which involves networking with upperclassmen and learning about other on-campus resources. Career services at this Ohio college include resume critiques, professional photographs, and workshops on a variety of topics, including how to develop a LinkedIn profile.

YSU accepts GED scores, and applicants with a high school diploma should have a minimum 2.0 GPA. This Ohio university also uses standardized test score cutoffs. Incoming learners interested in financial aid should submit FAFSA results and the YSU Foundation scholarship application.

From its Delhi Township campus, Mount St. Joseph University educates approximately 2,300 students. Popular undergraduate majors at this Ohio university include communication and new media studies, early childhood education, and religious studies. Undergraduate options also include four certificates and two licenses. Nearly half the university's graduate programs help aspiring and practicing educators learn new skills and earn a license or endorsement.

The honors program at MSJ provides students with a personalized curriculum. Learners can major in any subject, and advisors help them design honors experiences for every course. Application requirements include a minimum 3.2 high school GPA and excellent standardized test scores.

MSJ accepts GED scores and uses a holistic review process when considering each application. Freshmen applicants submit standardized test scores, and the university recommends including recommendation letters. Incoming freshmen and transfer students may qualify for up to $21,000 per year in merit-based scholarships.

A Catholic college situated in North Canton, Walsh University features over 70 undergraduate majors and seven graduate programs. Majors include cybersecurity, legal studies, and graphic design. Graduate programs boast multiple concentration areas; for example, master's in education students can specialize in one of seven subjects. Additionally, students earning a degree online can select from 11 undergraduate and 19 graduate programs.

Experiential learning at Walsh plays a vital role in students' academic and personal growth. The university provides more than 18 study abroad opportunities each year, including optional internships. Also, all undergraduates take at least one service-learning course and complete one internship in the local community. These experiences are intended to bolster degree-seekers' resumes and impart vital skills.

Prospective undergraduates must submit high school transcripts or GED scores. Walsh requires a minimum 18 ACT or 870 SAT score. Incoming freshmen may qualify for up to $16,000 per year in merit-based scholarships. The university awards faith-based and need-based awards to eligible learners, as well.

Ashland University, which is affiliated with the Brethren Church, emphasizes Christian values. The university's five colleges and schools award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in the arts and sciences, business, and education, among other subjects. Many undergraduate programs prepare degree-seekers for an Ohio teaching license, while students preparing for managerial-level careers can select from multiple business administration and management options.

AU's honors program caps courses at 20 students, meaning that all learners can receive individualized attention from a professor. Honors students live in a special dorm, participate in an exclusive study abroad experience, and complete a capstone project in their senior year. Other degree-seekers at this Ohio university can also study abroad in one of 38 countries.

Applicants must either submit qualifying GED scores or a high school diploma and transcripts with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Potential undergraduate students who graduated from high school or passed the GED exam in the three years before applying must also submit standardized test scores. Scholarships at AU typically amount to $2,000-$12,500 per year.

At John Carroll University, all undergraduates complete a rigorous core curriculum that promotes students' academic, social, and spiritual development. Core courses include language study and an in-depth analysis of the Jesuit heritage. The College of Arts and Sciences features many unique majors, including child and adolescent health and wellness, cell and molecular biology, and leadership development. Many graduate-level programs help practicing teachers earn an endorsement.

JCU hosts four fraternities and five sororities. Other student clubs and organizations at this Ohio university include intramural sports and service-learning groups. JCU's student support services include pre-major and major advisors who help degree-seekers stay on track for graduation. Students may also access tutoring and career planning resources.

Prospective first-time students must submit the Common Application and standardized test scores. Transfer credit must reflect a minimum 2.5 GPA. Both freshmen and transfer students may qualify for up to $20,000 per year in university scholarships, none of which require a separate application.

An excellent choice for prospective learners living in and around Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University opened in 1910 as a teacher training school. Today, the university boasts more than 200 undergraduate majors in four schools. A satellite campus in Findlay also conducts MBA courses. Additionally, degree-seekers wanting a personalized educational experience should consider BGSU's Firelands campus, which boasts an 18-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

The Honors College at BGSU features small class sizes and courses that help students hone their critical thinking and analytical skills. Honors degree-seekers should maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA to remain in good academic standing and qualify for up to five exclusive scholarship and grant opportunities.

BGSU boasts four application pathways for freshmen applicants and provides multiple on-campus and online orientation options. Both first-time and transfer students may qualify for a $1,000-$8,000 per year scholarship. Scholarships at this Ohio university renew automatically as long as recipients earn excellent grades.

Located in Delaware, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Its 1,600 undergraduates can select from over 100 majors, including physics, religion, and zoology. Although the university does not award graduate degrees, it boasts graduate degree partnerships wherein academically gifted students can receive guaranteed admission to a top graduate program. Also, the university's honors program challenges degree-seekers to hone their research and analytical skills.

All degree-seekers at OWU live on campus, which encourages socialization and networking. Besides traditional dormitories, housing options include fraternity and sorority houses and small living units, which allow students with similar interests to live together. The university also offers many faith-based activities and groups.

OWU accepts new students in the fall semester. Applicants must submit the Common Application, high school transcripts or GED scores, and ACT or SAT scores. The university also encourages applicants to provide a recommendation letter from a teacher. Incoming degree-seekers do not submit a separate financial aid application, and scholarship opportunities provide up to $30,000 per year.

A Jesuit institution located in Cincinnati, Xavier University educates approximately 6,600 undergraduate and graduate learners. This Ohio university features more than 90 undergraduate majors, including exercise science, economics, and psychology. With a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, the university provides degree-seekers with an individualized educational experience. Prospective online students can select from nine graduate programs, such as criminal justice or Montessori education.

Outside the classroom, Xavier students commit over 80,000 hours each year to community service projects both in Ohio and around the world. Other extracurricular activities include more than 170 clubs and organizations. Additionally, students who need tutoring resources can attend free sessions at the Conaton Learning Commons.

Prospective students typically must submit the Common Application by early December. Some undergraduate programs, including nursing and occupational therapy, require additional application materials, such as a work portfolio or teacher recommendation. Merit-based scholarships at Xavier award $5,000-$20,000 per year and require a separate application.

Situated in Bexley, Capital University is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Undergraduates can select from more than 60 majors and 50 minors. This top Ohio university offers a unique 3+3 program that confers both a bachelor's and a law degree. Master's and doctoral programs train the next generation of education, business, and nursing leaders.

Capital encourages undergraduates to perform research alongside professors. Students can select from one-on-one mentorships, industry mentorships in the Columbus area, and field research that takes learners around the world. Many degree-seekers attend the annual Undergraduate Symposium on Scholarship to present research findings.

Prospective learners with GED scores can apply. All applicants submit FAFSA results and standardized test scores. First-time and transfer students may qualify for scholarship opportunities, awards that range from $10,000 to $23,000 per year. Capital participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to reduce tuition for active-duty service members and veterans.

At the University of Findlay, nearly 12% of the study body originates from a foreign country, making this Ohio university an excellent choice for prospective learners desiring a unique educational experience. The university's more than 80 undergraduate majors include business administration, criminal justice, and Japanese. With dozens of minors and certificates to choose from, learners can easily customize their degree. Additionally, the school's many endorsement programs allow working professionals to earn a promotion or increase their salary potential.

Findlay was one of the first universities in the Midwest to adopt online learning. Valuable resources for online learners include a digital library, 24/7 technical support, and professors who also teach courses on campus.

Prospective students do not pay an application fee, and Findlay accepts the Common Application. Applying for financial aid does not require a separate application. The university boasts more than 350 endowed scholarships, some of which award full tuition.

Affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, Malone University educates approximately 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students through its Canton campus and online programs. Popular majors at this Ohio university include integrated social studies and pastoral ministry. Malone features many notable minors, including criminal and restorative justice, editing and publishing, and gender studies. Additionally, degree-seekers can enhance their degree by studying abroad.

The honors program at Malone emphasizes both rigorous courses and spiritual growth. Honors courses feature a class size capped at 20 students, half the size of a typical class. In their final year, degree-seekers complete an honors thesis. All honors learners receive a $1,000 per year scholarship automatically.

Malone accepts the Common Application from prospective undergraduates. Each graduate program has unique application requirements. First-time students can receive up to $18,000 per year in scholarships if they possess an excellent high school GPA and outstanding standardized test scores.

Nearly 2,700 learners attend Otterbein University, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. With more than 50 undergraduate majors and 40 minors, this Ohio university provides education in fields such as history, leadership studies, and nursing. Education and health professionals should consider Otterbein for the university's many certificate programs.

Otterbein provides students with many opportunities to socialize and network outside of class. On-campus community service organizations include the Global Brigades Club, Special Olympics Club, and the Children's Miracle Network. Six fraternities and six sororities comprise Otterbein's Greek life system.

Otterbein accepts GED scores and asks that all applicants without at least 30 transferable credits also submit ACT or SAT scores. The school does not require transfer students to write a personal essay. Scholarships at this Ohio university award up to $16,500 per year. Scholarships renew automatically as long as recipients maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA.