Ashland University
Ashland, OH, USA

Reviews

Ashland University

Megan from Commercial Point, OH

a current student here
13 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This school is great for education and business majors! There are more than 70 undergraduate programs here at Ashland but the majority of the students come here for business or education. They are great at getting you experience in the field you desire your freshman year. With the student to faculty ratio being 15:1 it allows your professors to really get to know you allowing it easier for the student to get help if needed.
Am enjoying being here
More than half of the students here are involved in campus activities including sports, intramurals, religious life, sororities, fraternities, and community service. It is very easy to get involved in something especially because there are wide variety of activities. They told us at orientation that the students involved in campus life were more likely to stay at Ashland so this encouraged man students to find something they were interested in. If you don't want to get involved there are always things going on on campus. We've had a variety of performers visit our school like illusionists, bands, comedians and many guest speakers including Bill Cosby! Also, we are nationally ranked for our dining services!
Bang for the buck
The overall tuition of almost $35,000 may be overwhelming but because this is a private school we can help pay for a lot of that. A large majority of the students receive a presidential scholarship based on their high school GPA and ACT scores. Also the financial aid office works very well with you personally to help you with any special requests or circumstances.
Tips for prospective students
Don't be afraid of the price! Visit the campus it's beautiful! If you have any questions don't be afraid to contact someone they will be more thn willing to help you. Ashland has been awesome with keeping us updated on what we need for the future!
Great for these types of students
Ashland is great for students looking for a school that is not too big and not too small. It is also very popular for the Education and Business programs. It's also great for any one who likes really good food all the time!

Adena from Lexington, OH

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I just finished my first semester at Ashland University, and so far I have learned quite a bit. I had my advisor as my professor for two of my classes, and her classes were fantastic. Furthermore, it's very easy to talk to my advisor, and any of my professors for that matter. However, I did have one class that was very simple, and mostly opinion. While the teacher was easy to talk to, I kind of got tired of writing/talking about my own opinion, and not actually learning about the subject at hand.
Am enjoying being here
The campus is beautiful. Most of the buildings look very nice, and are in good condition. Flowers can be seen throughout the campus. Also, I was lucky enough to be put in a dorm building that had been renovated recently. It is almost like living in a hotel room. Granted, the rooms are kind of small, but it fits my and my roommate's needs. Everyone is friendly, and it's just a great environment to be a part of. I live within thirty minutes of the campus, but I believe I made the right decision to live on campus because I love being close to my friends, and I know what's going on around the campus.
Bang for the buck
Well, it is very expensive. This is because it is a private school; however, there are many scholarships available based on students' GPA and ACT scores. I must say, it has been worth my money so far. The professors that I have had so far have been knowledgeable of their subjects and even personable. I walked in one day to my class with a Starbuck's cup, and my teacher asked, Did you have a late night? I normally don't see you drinking coffee. And this true. I don't normally drink coffee! The point of that story is that everyone is great, and caring. (It also doesn't hurt that you can find a job on or off campus to help pay for your tuition or have that money so your parents don't have to worry about giving you money)!
Tips for prospective students
I almost didn't go to Ashland because of the price, but I did receive a scholarship. My GPA is fairly high, but my ACT score is a little bit lower. It all evens out, and if you work hard in school, you will probably receive a scholarship! If you aren't sure whether or not you would really like it here, please visit the campus, and take a tour. It would also be a good idea to meet with professors/advisors within the major(s) you are thinking about.
Great for these types of students
Ashland University is a great college for students who enjoy being on a smaller campus, and enjoy working closely with their professors. The professors are more than willing to help their students. AU is also a wonderful college for students who like to get involved on campus. There are a lot of different clubs and organizations available. For example, I'm part of a sorority, PAW (Peers for Animal Welfare), and Sport Communication Club. And I can honestly say that if you are looking for a journalism/broadcast major, you can get involved with the newspaper/radio/TV your first semester (I know this because I am a Sport Communication major)! All of which will look good on resumes later in life! =] Good luck, students! I hope you find the college you are looking for.

Amber from Carey, OH

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This is my second semester here at AU, and so far I have had some really great professors! Last semester I had 6 classes, and 5 of my professors had their doctorate degrees. It was hard to pick a favorite between them, they were so good at it! The teachers are all very accessible, and there are always places to go and get help. They have office hours, reply well to emails, and make time for you. Also, I really enjoy the small class sizes. My biggest class so far had about 28 students in it! So teachers definitely learn your name, and want to help you do your best. When I visited first, I felt like Ashland would be a fun place to go - but they are also a very strong school academically! Which is definitely the most important part.
Am enjoying being here
I absolutely love it here at AU. Within the first few weeks, it started to really feel like home. I just could not get over how nice everyone was! Almost everyone you walk past smiles at you, or says hi. It's a very friendly atmosphere, in which I felt comfortable right away! There are tons of activities to do, and lots of clubs and organizations to become involved in. I, for example, am in the Honors Program, Women's Chorus, Newman Catholic Ministry, and Psychology Club. I also played intramural bowling and volleyball. Like I said, there are tons of things to do - just look for anything your interested in, and try it out! :) Another thing I should mention - the food is fantastic! We have gotten award for our food for quite a few years now, and it is great. Plus, we have an awesome Rec Center! It has a huge pool, a running track, tons of exercise machines, and a weight room. Out of the 6 schools I looked at, all private and in Ohio, this one had one of the best Rec Centers!
Bang for the buck
When you look at the price tag, which is now over $36,000, it can be very intimidating. But Ashland does a good job of giving finincial aid and scholarships. If you go to their website and find the scholarship calculator, you can see how much your initial, academic scholarship will be when you plug in your grades and test scores. You'll get your financial aid letter in the spring, which is where you see exactly how much they will give you. I never thought that I would be able to afford to come here, but out of the 6 private schools in Ohio that I applied to, they gave the best financial aid package! So if money is a concern, I definitely encourage you to at least apply and see how your package comes back.
Personally, I fell in love with this school, and I think it's worth the expense. I know I'll be going in debt to go here, but I think it's worth that.
Tips for prospective students
First of all, you really should come and visit. We have a beautiful campus, and it's the best way to see if it's a good fit. You get to hear a lot of information first hand, from a student who knows what they're talking about! I suggest a group visit, at least for the first time. It was durign my group visit that I felt I got the best information, and that was when I felt fell in love with this school.

Once you're here, get involved! If a club or group sounds interesting, go for it. That is where you'll meet your friends and have a lot of fun. Work hard in classes, and speak up in class - make an effort to get to know your professors, and have them know you! Professors can give you a lot of opportunities when you get to know them.
Great for these types of students
AU has a great Education program, we're really well known for it. I'm partial to our Psych program myself - we have some fantastic teachers. If you want to be active and get leadership roles early in your college career, AU is great for that, too. If you want personal attention, and a school that is small but not too small, I highly recommend Ashland!

Mariah from Wauseon, OH

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The professors there are very knowledgeable of their areas of study. They also work very hard to make sure you understand the material.
Am enjoying being here
I have several friends in my dorm. It is a small town so if you are from a big city you might feel like there is nothing to do. The people there are very nice and welcoming. After the initial shock of college life, I loved it there.
Bang for the buck
It is a private university so it is expensive, but with scholarships it is more affordable. I feel like the quality of the education, food, and housing are well worth the money.
Tips for prospective students
The two big tips for students at any college is to just give yourself a week or two to settle in and do not go home on the weekends a lot. By going home, you will miss out on what happens on campus, and you wont have as many friends on campus.
Great for these types of students
If you are looking for a small university that focuses on the individual, then Ashland University is the place for you. If you are looking for a liberal arts college with great programs for business, education, or political science, then the College of Business & Economics, College of Education, or Ashbrook Program would probably be an interest of yours.

Christina from Cleveland, OH

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Ashland University is a private, Christian, Liberal Arts college that has excellent undergraduate programs; it's a 10 minute walk across campus. Professors actually care about you and notice when you don't come to class. It's not an extremely small school where you know everyone in your class by the time you're done, but advanced courses (junior-senior level) usually only have 1-2 sections.
Tips for prospective students
Negotiate your financial aid package. If you are thinking of not going here because it's too expensive, tell your financial aid advisers and they might give you more money. Also, choose your school by the academic program, not by money, not by sports.
Academic Rigor
It's not an Ivy League school or anything, but it is definitely challenging. I got a 28 on the ACT and I'm earning a 3.7 GPA from the college. However, all classes are taught by professors. There aren't any teacher's aides in charge of classes. It is a liberal arts college so they require you to complete a set of core courses in addition to your major program. This includes one intro-to-college course, two English courses, one Math course, two science courses, one Communications course, one Religion (study of religion, not indoctrination) course, one Lifetime Wellness course, two Humanities courses, two Creative Arts courses, two Social Sciences courses, and one Historical Reasoning course. Sometimes one course can count for two areas of the core. CLEP, AP, and other types of credits apply so take the CLEP test before college and save some money!
Dorm Life
Multiple options for living exist including typical bunk-bed style dorm room (singles,doubles,triples), suites (two doubles and a middle room), upper-classmen apartments on/off-campus ( 2- & 4- person apartments; 24 hr visitation and alcohol permitted if all are >21), commuter status, and several opportunities to rent or buy a house/apartment off-campus. Dorms are secure and nice to live in. Opposite gender must not be in the building from 2am-8am. Opposite-gendered guests must be escorted by student from 11pm-2am. No alcohol is permitted anywhere except in upperclassmen apartments, and only when all present are of age. Also, the option to become a Residence Assistant (RA) provides opportunity to have room/board paid in full plus an additional stipend.
Food and Dining
Four dining options are currently available: Convo, Eagles' Nest, Tuffy's, Schar Cafe. Hours vary between all three to accommodate student schedules. Countless options are available at each meal. Convo is traditional dining with all-you-can-eat privileges for each meal swipe. Meal plans vary by # of swipes you purchase. Great options for gluten-free, vegetarian, and allergy-free diets.
What to do for fun
Get involved in activities on campus. The Rec Center always has something fun you can do: pool, hot tub, golf simulator, pool tables, ping pong tables, video game consoles and games (Wii, Xbox, latest consoles), basketball, volleyball, soccer courts, rock climbing wall, bikes you can use, fitness center, weight lifting room, aerobics/exercise courses and more. Campus Activities Board (CAB) sponsors free bowling, bingo, and board-game nights. Tech Crew sponsors free movie nights once a month.
Bang for the buck
I'm definitely satisfied with what I'm getting. It pays to have the professor feedback, the personal attention, and the undergraduate research experience.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Eagle statues are all over campus.
Great for these types of students
Great for students who are dedicated to their academics and want to learn! Great for both the partying and non-partying type.
Clubs and Activities
Lots. You can even create your own if you have 5 people interested!
Greek Life
Sororities: Delta Zeta, Alpha Phi, Alpha Delta Pi, Phi Mu
Fraternities: TKEs

It's not overwhelming or anything if you don't want to be bothered by them.
Campus Safety
They give parking tickets like crazy!! Be sure you know where to park your car (yes you can have one on campus as a freshman).

Go Ashland!

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I love Ashland, every professor is extremely caring and helpful. If you're ever in need of anything there is ALWAYS someone who can help and you don't have to go very far to find them!
Am enjoying being here
Ashland is great, it is a very small place, but I like that I know so many people. I have made a lot of friends here and hope to continue to make more.
Bang for the buck
Pretty expensive, but they do a great job with the amazing staff and supportive environment, despite the cost I will always recommend this school if asked to do so! The small class sizes are amazingly effective, I can get help at any time that I need it.
Tips for prospective students
Definitely visit the campus, you'll feel the welcoming and supportive environment immediately upon arrival and you'll love the school spirit that can be found anywhere you turn!
Great for these types of students
-Students who like small schools
-Students who ask a lot of questions
-Students who like one-on-one time with faculty
-Students who want a great education
-Students who like great food!

Shelby from Lima, OH

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Ashland is a fantastic school for business and education majors. For education majors, they get you out into the field during your freshmen year and by your sophomore year, you are working with students in a teaching role. For business majors, there is an actual stock exchange room that students participate in. Ashland University also takes pride in its small class sizes. Most classes are capped at 25 so you can get personalized attention from professors and get to know your classmates well. The learning environment at AU is great for getting students ready for the real world.
Am enjoying being here
There are so many fun, exciting ways to get involved on campus at Ashland. From varsity sports, to club sports to intramurals, there is a level of competition for everyone who wants to play sports. There many clubs and organizations on campus making it easy to find a group of people with the same interests as you. Campus is not too big or too small, the food is AMAZING with so many choices every day and we have a great rec center with weight machines, free weights, treadmills and other cardio equipment, basketball courts, indoor soccer, an indoor track, a simulated golf room, pool, ping pong and a huge swimming pool.
Bang for the buck
While Ashland is pretty expensive, the level of experience you get in your field and the quality of the education you will receive make it all worth it. Plus, they do a great job at helping you pay for your tuition as almost everyone receives money for their high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores.
Tips for prospective students
Visit campus! Visiting AU is a great way to get a feel for the campus. My advice would be to go during the week because you receive a personal visit. It is just you and your family and you visit with an admissions counselor in their office and that is when you can ask any question you want about anything. Then, you get a personal tour of campus and you get to see any part of campus you wish! It's really the best way to visit. Plus, if you visit on a weekend, you don't get to experience campus in motion. Most likely during a weekday visit, you will see people walking to and from class. You're not part of a big group and you get to experience Ashland on a more personal level.
Great for these types of students
Ashland is great for all types of students. Those who know exactly what they want to major in and even those who don't. There is something for everyone.

Anna from Seville, OH

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am learning quite a lot here at AU, but it is a very challenging environment and forces me to do my very best.
Am enjoying being here
I absolutely love campus life. The students are friendly, the advisors are helpful, and the professors are very willing to give their best efforts to help the students succeed and thrive. There is not much crime that I have seen and the whole campus is like one giant anthill where everyone gets along, does their own thing, and are great cohabitants.
Bang for the buck
Being a private college, it is a little more expensive than your average community college, but that is to be expected with the quality of the courses, materials for labs, and excellent professors, so I find that it is definitely worth it.
Tips for prospective students
Visit the campus, meet with a few advisers or professors and I guarantee that just about everyone would find it a perfectly suitable place to live and learn. With a small campus, the classes are definitely much smaller, allowing for more one-on-one learning.
Great for these types of students
This would be a wonderful place for the following types of students:
*Students who want a small, more personal learning environment
*Students who want a friendly atmosphere
*Students who would like to join a club, volunteer group, religious community, or a sports team - there are lots to choose from!
*Students who would like the opportunity to study abroad
*Students who are willing to work hard and really strive to reach their goals - again, the courses are very challenging and not for someone who wants to just barely get by in school.
*And lots more! Ashland University is just bustling with happy students and filled with plenty of on-campus student activities! (Recently started was a new campus-wide Zombie game that may end up being a recurring event since it was so popular. Want more info? Join Ashland University!)

Lauren from Maple Heights, OH

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The class sizes are just right. I don't feel ignored by my professors and they really let their personalities show.
Am enjoying being here
Its hard right now for me because I don't drive, so I don't get to go home often. The small town atmosphere is nice and quiet, yet I always have something to do.
Bang for the buck
Tuition is a lot here, and I feel like I have to choke scholarships out of the financial aid office, but the campus is beautiful and I can see where the money is going.
Tips for prospective students
FILL OUT AS MANY SCHOLARSHIPS AS POSSIBLE!
Do not fail Accent on Success. It is embarrassing to re-take it as an upperclassman.
Get involved with Greek Life. Trust me, it is safe.
Great for these types of students
-People who want to have personalized help
-Anyone interested in Education
-Anyone who plays sports well (the scholarships are rather large for athletes here)

Elizabeth from Bridgeville, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
AU will becomes a home away from home, and as an out-of-state student it was really important for me to have the feeling of home so that I didn't get home sick much. AU did a great job of making me feel welcomed and wanted. Everyone is so friendly and very helpful no matter your problem.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved. Not only is it a resume builder, but it will keep you active and get you more friends than you would have if you would have just sat in your dorm room and waited for friends to appear. Also, everyone that will tell you that you will meet people that you will have life long connections with are totally right. You'll meet people that you would have though you've known since you were born. That's how well you'll connect with some of the people you meet! But you can't connect with people if you don't take advantage of the ways to make new friends!
Academic Rigor
Like any other college, these classes are difficult if you don't do your work or show up to class. You have to take your academics seriously or you will regret it.
Dorm Life
Once I got into all my activities I didn't spend as much time as I would have liked in my dorm. But the time that I did spend in there I enjoyed. The people on my floor were nice and so was my RA.
Food and Dining
The food at AU is great. Most of the time no matter what you are in the mood for, you can find on campus. You have a lot of options of where to eat too. You can eat in the Lower Convocation Center or Convo, which is more of a cafeteria. There is also the Eagles Nest that is more of a grab and go spot. There is Tuffy's Smoothie Bar with is located in the Rec Center where you can get smoothies as well as other drinks and food. There is also the Schar Cafe located in the Dwight Schar College of Education; it's a smaller version of the Eagles nest without the grill. Each of these places is a great place to eat.
What to do for fun
The Campus Activities Board or CAB holds a lot of events for students. Greek life, along with other organizations and clubs also puts on a lot of things for students to go to. The rec center has intramural sports and club sports to play.
Bang for the buck
Ashland is an expensive private university, however, they are very willing to help you with paying for college. If you let them know that you are not sure if you will be able to pay for college there, they will work with you to see what they can do about it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The president of the university is very friendly and cares a lot about the students of AU. He participates in on campus activities and even the AU meme page on Facebook. He even gives the freshmen his phone number during his welcoming! I don't know another university that has a president that is as awesome as that!
Great for these types of students
Ashland is great for students that like small classes and a lot of attention from professors. AU has a very friendly feel to it. AU's program for education is also fantastic. Unlike some universities, as an education major you are in the classroom starting your freshman year. Though the freshmen field experience is only a shadow or each academic level (elementary, middle, and high school), but the experience is very helpful and the involvement in the classroom grows as the year move on. Also if you are looking into political science or history, the Ashbrook program is a great program for you. It's definitely someone worth looking into. If you're into athletics AU has a great athletic program with great facilities for athletes or just athletic people in general.
Clubs and Activities
There are so many clubs and activities to do on campus. The only way that you really be bored is if you wouldn't take advantage of them. There are all types of intramural sports and club sports. There are pretty much clubs or organizations for anything that you would want from Anime Club to the AU Habitat for Humanity
Greek Life
At the moment I'm not in Greek life. However, most of my friends are, and I know that they love being in their fraternity or sorority. As a non-Greek all the activities that are planned are still a major part of what I do around campus. You don't have to be Greek to enjoy all that they have to offer campus. Though if you would like all the great leadership experience and sisterhood/brotherhood that comes from it, then I would recommend joining whenever you feel it appropriate. If you don't join when you're a freshmen you aren't going to be too late, trust me.
Campus Safety
Since Ashland is a small town I feel really safe on campus. I can walk around at like 3 in the morning and not feel the least bit unsafe. And during freshmen orientation you will be provided Safety Services number. They are open 24/7, so if there is ever anything that you would need them for, you can call them. They will even escort you back to your dorm if you don't feel safe doing it.