Best Colleges in Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern state with hot, humid summers and cool winters. As the “Birthplace of Aviation,” the Buckeye State has five international airports and also claims Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon, as a native from Wapakoneta. Colleges in Ohio are evenly split between private not-for-profit and public institutions. Ohio University was the first college established in the state, and is the ninth oldest institution in the continental US. The most selective in Ohio is Kenyon College. Ohio’s key economic industries are advanced energy and environmental technologies, aerospace and aviation, along with agriculture and food processing. Top attractions include the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cedar Point Amusement Park, and Hocking Hills State Park.

How Were the Top Schools in Ohio Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

Explore the Best Universities in Ohio with Appily!

Create a Appily account to start saving schools to your personal list. Wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? You can also see your chances of acceptance and get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.

College placeholder image

The Cleveland Institute of Music is a conservatory that presents over 400 concerts to the public during every school year. CIM is one of just three independent conservatories in the country to focus solely on classical music performance. In addition...

Mount St. Joseph University

Founded in 1920 by the Sisters of Charity, Mount St. Joseph University is a Catholic liberal arts college in the Cincinnati area. The Mount offers undergraduate degrees in over 40 academic majors and several degrees can be completed in 3 years. As a...

Mount St. Joseph University

Founded in 1920 by the Sisters of Charity, Mount St. Joseph University is a Catholic liberal arts college in the Cincinnati area. The Mount offers undergraduate degrees in over 40 academic majors and several degrees can be completed in 3 years. As a...

“…

When I first came to Mount Saint Joseph, I felt uncomfortable and unconfident because I didn't know a lot about the field I was studying. Luckily for me the professors are kind and respect students and will do anything to help them succeed. Its not...

” – Courtney from Cincinnati, OH
The University of Findlay

Founded in 1882, the University of Findlay is a private institution based in Findlay, OH. UF is affiliated with the Churches of God General Conference and is rated as having “more selective” admissions. The school offers liberal arts-based degree...

“…

The classes are really small for the most part. I am a Pre-vet student, it's a popular major here so the classes get filled up quickly and are really full. They almost always open up another class to choose. The professors care about the students and...

” – Jessica from Wauseon, OH
Capital University

Founded in 1830, Capital University is a liberal arts institution and one of the largest Lutheran universities in the US. The CU Chapel Choir is recognized for performing at Carnegie Hall, in different parts of the world, and for leading the annual...

“…

Ever since coming here I have been taught a huge amount. Not just from the faculty, but from the students as well. This college isn't just about learning from the teachers. You learn from your peers and they learn from you. It is an amazing thing...

” – Jordan from Frankfort, OH
College placeholder image

Kettering College is a private, Christ-centered institution established in suburban Ohio as a branch of the Kettering Medical Center, with a newly-developed satellite location in Greene County. Students are required to attend convocations and a...

“…

This college offers my career intended and I feel is right for me.

” – Rachel from New Carlisle, OH
Malone University

Malone University is a private, Christian, liberal arts institution located in Canton, OH. Founded in 1892, Malone has grown to offer 91 undergraduate and 12 graduate programs, some of which are available online. Standing out from the 50-plus majors...

“…

The courses are invigorating and interactive. It seems like the teachers are enjoying you and so you enjoy being there. Classes are tough, but if your heart is in the right place, you get a lot out of classes. It's not like high school where subjects...

” – Lillian from Martinsville, VA
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Founded in 1910 as a teacher’s college, Bowling Green State University is a 4-year public research institution in northwest Ohio. Bowling Green State is home to eight colleges conferring undergraduate degrees as well as an honors college. In addition...

“…

I have learned a lot, but it has been tarnished by a few professors who are not as sympathetic to first year students' struggles while adjusting to college life/schoolwork/expectations.

” – Amanda from Findlay, OH
Mount Carmel College of Nursing

Mount Carmel College of Nursing is a Catholic nursing school and the largest private undergraduate nursing program in Ohio. Mount Carmel offers four options for conferring BSN degrees from a 4-year program to an accelerated 13-month curriculum as...

Defiance College

Founded in 1850, the Defiance College is a private institution based in the rural town of Defiance, OH. The liberal arts college is closely affiliated with the United Church of Christ. The school houses the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity...

“…

The science department at Defiance College consists of only professors with doctorates no graduate assistants, in fact there are no graduate assistants in the college. This helps keep the classroom more professional and makes learning easier. The...

” – Bryan from Defiance, OH
Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University is a private, liberal arts institution established in Tiffin, Ohio. Students graduating from Heidelberg are all given the option to enroll in the school’s Plus One Advantage program, which registers students in a 1-year Master...

“…

I attend Heidelberg University's music program. I've at least doubled my knowledge about music, and I've only been here a semester! You will definitely learn, and the work is challenging but not difficult. I really think you will enjoy going here.

” – Katelyn from Coshocton, OH
College placeholder image

Walsh University is a private, 4-year institution located in North Canton, Ohio. The college also maintains a satellite campus just outside of Rome in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, which students have the opportunity to visit through one of the college’s...

“…

walsh university is a great learning environment. the staff, faculty, and students alike have every person's best interests in mind. walsh is truly concerned with furthering both education and well-being.

” – Taylor from Navarre, OH
Cleveland Institute of Art

The Cleveland Institute of Art is a college of arts, media, and design in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood. CIA confers degrees in 15 artistic majors such as Animation, Game Design, and Ceramics. In addition, CIA requires all students to...

“…

The area and student body is so diverse you're bound to be entertained. There are so many areas around University Circle to explore including Coventry and Little Italy, and the Art and Natural History museum are excellent resources. So many studio...

” – Maria from Struthers, OH
College placeholder image

Muskingum University is a private liberal arts institution. Paul Hall, the oldest building on campus, houses the music department and is registered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, the Anne C. Steele Center was named...

“…

Only after my first year, I learned a lot more than I even expected. the teachers are great and they truly care about how you are doing.

” – Alyssa from Grafton, OH
Lake Erie College

Lake Erie College is a private, 4-year institution established in Painesville, Ohio. LEC offers over 30 undergraduate and graduate majors, as well as over 25 minors, with a unique CORE general education curriculum that aims to cultivate all of the...

“…

Since I arrived at Lake Erie College, I have had the privilege of learning one life lesson after another. I have not only had the chance to excel in the classroom under the tutelage of amazing professors, but I have learned a lot about myself as a...

” – Michelle from Glouster, OH
Ursuline College

Ursuline College is a private, Christ-centered institution established in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Ursuline provides over 30 bachelor’s degree programs, pre-professional programs, minors, and certificate programs, as well as 20 graduate programs. Ursuline...

“…

As a nursing student at Ursuline college, I have had a very full schedule due to the strenuous nature of studying for a successful career in the health field. Although I have heard great things about their other majors offered which range from...

” – Nicole from Chagrin Falls, OH
College placeholder image

Ohio Dominican University is a private, 4-year institution established in the city of Columbus. The college utilizes a unique core curriculum which consists of four seminars that revolve around one deep, philosophical question per year. Students...

“…

I am a learning a lot at ODU through the small classes and intimate learning experiences. As a Business major in my sophomore year, I have begun to learn about real skills that I will need in my career. Also, as ODU is a Liberal Arts College, I...

” – Elise from Cleveland, OH
Otterbein University

Otterbein University is a 4-year, liberal arts institution located in Westerville, OH, minutes from the 14th largest city in the US, Columbus. Founded in 1847, Otterbein has been co-educational from the beginning and takes pride in its diversity and...

“…

The small class sizes and individual attention from one's professor (as opposed to a graduate assistant as is the case at most large schools) sets students up for success. It's impossible to just blend in during a class.

” – Tara from Columbus, OH
Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, Christ-centered institution established in Ohio. Students are required to attend chapel, with the number of chapel credits necessary each semester varying depending on the student’s year. MVNU primarily...

“…

the Nazarene is a wonderful school, the professors really care about each student, they are always there to talk to. It doesn't matter if you're 24 or 50 you are a student and treated as equal, as just another person on campus. the kids are very...

” – Rebbecca from Danville, OH
Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University doesn't simply deliver a degree. It offers an experience that becomes a part of who you are and what you'll be, forever. OHIO is a four-year public R1 research institution offering more than 250 programs of study and boasting more...

“…

Ohio University is a great academic school and I feel I have learned so much in just a year of attending this university. Although, freshman year is based on tier one classes and usually are only review and basics, they are great refreshers and help...

” – Caitlynn from Norwalk, OH