Overview of Ohio Colleges & Schools

Finding the Best College in Ohio

To find the best college in Ohio, take the time to start with your personal priorities. Take a deep dive into your aspirations, personal learning style, career objectives, and educational goals. Then you can more efficiently leverage our proprietary search tools to help you quickly find information to apply to colleges in Ohio. We have assembled a full list of accredited schools from public universities to community colleges and from liberal arts school to private colleges across the Ohio state college system. With the latest published information on enrollment trends, financial aid, tuition, student to teacher ratios, sports programs, distance learning tracks, and degree programs for top ranked Ohio colleges. Find out today what colleges exist in Ohio, how much tuition is for private and public colleges, and college degrees best for you.

Universities and Colleges in Ohio

Finding a full list of accredited colleges and universities in the State of Ohio has never been more straightforward. At MatchCollege, we have aggregated information on the entire list of universities in Ohio that include all 2-year colleges and 4-year colleges. Top ranked colleges are listed in an easy to read format to help you sift through viable school options. By simply requesting information from accredited colleges in Ohio, an admissions packet will be sent directly to you in a safe, secure manner. As you collect both digital and print material from colleges, it is your choice to then speak with an admissions officer at the school to move things further along.

The state of Ohio has a large number of public and private post-secondary institutions. The state is bordered by Michigan to the north, Indiana to the west, Kentucky and West Virginia to the south, and Pennsylvania to the east. The state is home to a number of urban centers, including Columbus, Akron, Cleveland and Cincinnati. These cities tend to have a higher concentration of post secondary institutions due to size and population.

The University System of Ohio was formalized and structured in 2007. The system brings together Ohio’s public universities, colleges, branch campuses, community colleges and technical colleges under one governing body and is comprised of fourteen universities and colleges and 25 community and technical colleges. The system is home to the Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. Several of the schools in the University System of Ohio have been call “public ivy”, a designation describing academic equivalence with Ivy League institutions.

Schools in the University System of Ohio include:

The states of Ohio’s private schools are varied in their foundations and offerings. Many of the schools are based on Christian principles of multiple denominations as well as Jewish schools. There are also a number of private secular colleges offering liberal arts or other educations. Private schools tend to have smaller class sizes and better student to teacher ratios and typically have smaller programs. Private schools also are usually more expensive than public schools and some tend to have a much stricter admissions policy.

Ohio private schools include:

Oberlin College (Oberlin)
Ohio Wesleyan University (Delaware)
Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland)
Columbus College of Art and Design (Columbus)
University of Dayton (Dayton)

Additionally, Ohio is home to a large number of technical and community colleges providing career and vocation training as well as transfer opportunities to four year institutions. The state also houses a large number of career schools and colleges which are private institutions offering short programs for training in a particular career. These schools tend to be a bit pricier but often have financial aid opportunities and the short length of the programs assist in entering the work force quickly.

The most populous city in Ohio is Columbus, followed by Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo. While the most populous county in Ohio is Cuyahoga County with Franklin County close behind. If you are interested in visiting the state of Ohio, consider visiting their state page or the state chapter of the Chamber of Commerce.

College Degree Breakdown for the State of Ohio

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, NCES, O*NET Online

Doctoral or professional degree	130,950	2.5
Master's degree	88,540	1.7
Bachelor's degree	1,101,270	20.6
Associate's degree	125,190	2.3
Postsecondary nondegree award	354,000	6.6
Some college, no degree	119,130	2.2
High school diploma or equivalent	1,948,970	36.5
No formal educational credential	1,469,840	27.5

Public Universities & Colleges

There are thirty-four public 4-year state universities and colleges in Ohio. These four-year institutions predominantly offer bachelor's or higher level programs and some may even include research facilities. See a state-wide list of the state universities and colleges in Ohio.

Private Universities & Colleges

In Ohio there are seventy-one accredited private four-year colleges. Similar to public schools, private colleges and universities offer bachelor's or higher level programs and research opportunities, although they usually have smaller classes and higher tuition. Compare admission requirements and tuition details for private colleges in Ohio.

Community Colleges

Community colleges are public institutions that offer low cost, high quality education for residents throughout the state. These schools offer 2-year programs that grant associate degrees or offer training courses in specialized trades. Ohio" Community colleges also are the number one transfer-out programs available for four-year colleges and universities. Learn more and compare community colleges in Ohio.

Liberal Arts Colleges

Ohio has nine accredited liberal arts colleges. These schools primarily focus on undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences through comprehensive and flexible curriculums. Compare all the liberal arts colleges in Ohio.

Bible & Christian Colleges

Bible and Christian colleges generally provide specialized undergraduate education with a focus on religious or biblical study. There are approximately forty-eight such colleges in Ohio located throughout the state. See a full list of Christian colleges in Ohio along with program and tuition information.

Browse Schools by Career in Ohio

Follow the links below to get information on accredited schools in our database that offer programs or degrees.

Medicine & Healthcare

Medical Schools in Ohio (M.D.) (6 Schools)
Pharmacy Schools in Ohio (Pharm. D.) (7 Schools)
Physical Therapy Schools in Ohio (DPT, MPT) (10 Schools)
Veterinary Schools in Ohio (D.V.M.) (1 Schools)
Nursing Schools in Ohio (BSN, RN, LPN, ...) (160 Schools)

Law & Criminal Justice

Law Schools in Ohio (J.D.) (9 Schools)

Ohio College Resources for Students

With hundreds upon hundreds of free educational resources, MatchCollege invests heavily in your future and your success. Get exclusive resources, admissions tips, scholarship information, degree insights, and career advice from the nation’s most trusted portal for education resources. The article below may be a good starting point for students seeking to learn more about the college landscape and what path may be best to pursue.