Best Online Colleges in Ohio for 2023
Get detailed info on Best Online Colleges in Ohio and their online degrees, financial aid and scholarships, acceptance rate, tuition and fees.
Ohio is a beautiful state in the U.S. with some of the best online academic programs in the country.
There are more than 200 colleges and universities in Ohio that offer online courses. Many of these offer bachelor’s degree and graduate degree options that students can obtain entirely online.
Two important organizations (the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and Ohio Learn), have paved the way for online education and provided various resources for prospective online students.
Ohio is also one of the first states in the U.S. to adopt the Quality Matters (QM) process, which is a method of assessing online programs and certifying online and hybrid programs for quality.
If you’re considering pursuing an online degree, you’ve probably noticed there are dozens of options out there. The volume of choices can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. Let’s look at the best online colleges in Ohio and what you need to know about the tuition costs, program focus, and ranking of each one.
Opportunities for college education in Ohio
Ohio has a wide range of online learning opportunities. As of 2021, Ohio has around 215 degree-granting institutions, 60 of which are public, 75 are non-profit, and 80 are for-profit institutions.
According to The Ohio Department of Higher Education, Ohio universities enrolled 526,003 students in 2020.
If you’re interested in attending one of the online colleges in Ohio, there are plenty of options so that you can find one that best suits your individual needs and goals.
In the next section, we’ll discuss how you can choose the right online college for you.
How to choose the right online colleges in Ohio
If you're interested in getting a bachelor's degree from an online college in Ohio, you're in luck. There are dozens of great online program options for people looking for an online degree in just about any major. Here are a few considerations you should keep in mind while looking for the right degree program:
1. Online degree options
While it may seem obvious, it's essential to find an online school that offers the degree program you're interested in. Today, it's relatively easy to find online academic programs that offer associate's degree and bachelor's degree options.
Some online universities also offer master's degree options, and a select few will offer even more options for graduate students, including Ph.D. and certificate programs.
As you look into degree program options, make sure the university you're considering offers the online degree you want and the potential to continue your education if you decide to do so.
2. Accreditation
An important consideration for any online school is accreditation. Accreditation helps educational institutions boost their performance and draw more students.
Students who attend an accredited online degree program will have easier access to student loans, financial aid, and scholarships. Obtaining a degree from an accredited graduate program or undergraduate program also improves a student's career outlook.
Online universities that are accredited will provide accreditation information on their websites and in their recruitment material. Be sure to pay attention to this critical information and compare accreditation between the universities you're interested in.
3. Tuition costs
While online schooling is generally less expensive for students in Ohio, getting an online degree still may not be cheap. Before you fall in love with the academic programs you're considering, make sure to consider their tuition costs. The last thing you want is to commit to an online degree program you can't afford.
If you're concerned about paying for college, talk with the financial aid office and organizational leadership at your would-be school about payment options, including student loans, scholarships, and other forms of student aid.
4. Program culture
Many prospective students fail to consider the culture of the online classes and academic programs they're considering. However, this is a critical detail, and prospective students need to take it into account. Any school you attend should be aligned with your values and goals.
The cohort you move through your program with should be committed to online education and building a community in the digital environment.
While you can't choose a university solely based on the other students attending it, you should seek out online classes that put you in a group of like-minded Ohio students.
Before you attend an Ohio university, consider consulting statistics regarding its diversity, inclusion practices, and more to ensure it would be a good fit for you.
5. In-person learning options
Some online graduate and undergraduate programs — including counseling and computer science — offer in-person education options in addition to their online program format. If this is interesting to you, look for Ohio online college options that offer annual in-person intensives.
These intensives typically take place on the university campus and are an excellent way to meet other students, deepen your learning, and take your Ohio online college experience to a new level.
6. Course focus
If you’re considering an online degree in something like counseling, you’ll find that different online program options offer different tracks and focuses.
For example, some counseling programs will set graduates up to work with children, while other tracks focus on adults or families. Choosing the right course track is essential to ensuring a long and fulfilling career.
If you’re unsure what kind of track you’d like to pursue, consider choosing a university that offers several different track options. That way, you’ll be able to adjust your course as you decide what you’re interested in.
With all of that in mind, here is a list of the top online colleges in Ohio in 2021:
1 University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 62%
Average Financial Aid: $7,256
Acceptance Rate: 76.00
Total Programs Offered (75)
17
Education Programs
15
Nursing Programs
13
Health Science Programs
30
Other Programs
University of Cincinnati is a public research institution which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) offering Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate, and Certificate in Accounting, Animal Science, Health Science, Human Services, Nursing, and many more.
The financial aid office of the university is always ready to help students in planning for their academic career and using some available aid to meet their educational goals.
The university has around 400 student organizations that support a variety of interests of the students. These interests include political/activist, cultural, academic, social and many more.
It provides numerous facilities to athletics members such as a football playground, baseball field, nine indoor tennis courts, basketball court, and many more. It engages with employers and partners with the talent that they seek in a variety of arrangements both inside and outside the classroom.
2 Ohio University
Athens, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 85%
Average Financial Aid: $6,112
Acceptance Rate: 75.00
Total Programs Offered (17)
4
Business Management Programs
3
Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
2
Literature Programs
8
Other Programs
Ohio University is a public research university which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It offers Associates, Bachelor's, Masters and Graduate Certificate in various disciplines such as Accounting, Business Management, Applied Science, Psychology, Media Studies and many more.
In 2019, 95% of Ohio first-year students received some kind of financial aid from the university amounting to $11 million in scholarships.
This institute provides e-Campus learning, e-Campus students can access free online tutoring services. It also provides in-program support, online student support, and faculty development. Ohio main office administers e-Campus for online and distance education students.
The student organizations enable the practical applications being applied to classroom learning through big involvement of students in these organizations. In addition to that, the CIC (Campus Involvement Center) also aims to provide quality advising to student organizations and empower faculty & staff advisors.
3 Kent State University
Kent, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 86%
Average Financial Aid: $7,204
Acceptance Rate: 85.00
Total Programs Offered (79)
17
Nursing Programs
14
Education Programs
13
Business Management Programs
35
Other Programs
Kent State University is a public institution whose accreditation is given by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offers Bachelors, Masters, Associates, Doctorate, and Certificates in various disciplines such as Accounting, Computer Science, Nursing, and many more.
The university provides a variety of scholarships for freshers and students can get scholarships for their academic record, talent, financial need, the field of study or involvement in a specific area, organization or activity. The scholarships awarded to the students who are enrolling is determined based on the tests and high school results submitted to the institution.
The center for adults and veterans’ services is always ready to help veterans enhancing the experience of non-traditional learning both in and out of the classroom.
4 Xavier University
Cincinnati, Ohio
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Financial Aid Percentage: 99%
Average Financial Aid: $21,463
Acceptance Rate: 69.00
Total Programs Offered (10)
3
Criminal Justice Programs
3
Education Programs
2
Nursing Programs
2
Other Programs
Xavier University is a private, not-for-profit institution whose accreditation is given by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It offers a Masters and Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice, Education, Health Science, Nursing, and more.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.62 is required to take admission here.
It offers need-based graduate grants for every student in specific programs. Grants typically range between $180 to $480 per semester. The whole 100% of veteran students are employed, attending grad school or working in service or volunteer positions within six months of graduation.
There are 160 student club and organizations covered with numerous opportunities and interests of students which includes student organization academy, a student organization for leader training, etc.
5 Tiffin University
Tiffin, Ohio
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Financial Aid Percentage: 93%
Average Financial Aid: $14,110
Acceptance Rate: 76.00
Total Programs Offered (34)
12
Business Management Programs
8
Criminal Justice Programs
4
Psychology Programs
10
Other Programs
Tiffin University is a private, not for profit institution whose accreditation is given by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It offers Bachelors and Masters in various disciplines such as Psychology, Media Studies, Health Science, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Education and many more.
It accepts transfer students with a 2.0 cumulative grade point average from the previous college. It offers various scholarships which are based on student status and cumulative GPA. The GPA is calculated from grades that you have earned at your previous community or any other college from where you transferred.
The veteran and military resource center assist veterans, active duty, and spouses of current service members in utilizing their education benefits. A few veteran benefits available are GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, etc.
6 The University of Toledo (UT)
Toledo, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 93%
Average Financial Aid: $8,554
Acceptance Rate: 94.00
Total Programs Offered (48)
12
Business Management Programs
10
Education Programs
5
Computer Science Programs
21
Other Programs
The University of Toledo is a public institution whose accreditation is given by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It offers programs for Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate both in-class and online at an affordable cost.
The Office of Professional Development of UT is focused on guiding its students to reach their career objectives. The main focus of this university is to develop students from their very first year of study. The university has an office that offers students with an attorney-student mentorship program, interview preparation, career building workshops, and many more.
Most of the new students receive a scholarship or grant and 80% of new students receive state or federal aid from the Office of Financial Aid. The military service center recognizes the sacrifices of the veteran members and their families and is dedicated to helping them achieve continued success in their pursuit of higher education.
7 The Ohio State University (OSU)
Columbus, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 80%
Average Financial Aid: $9,769
Acceptance Rate: 54.00
Total Programs Offered (22)
7
Nursing Programs
3
Science Programs
2
Health Science Programs
10
Other Programs
Ohio State University is a public institution whose accreditation is given by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It is a leader in providing Associates, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate degrees in many programs that are taught by the knowledgeable and experienced faculty.
A cumulative GPA of 3.78 is required to take admission here. The financial aid department of OSU is committed to working with students and helping them to identify the resources available to make their education much more affordable.
The veteran and military students at OSU benefit in many ways. Some of the veteran benefits are provided to make student education more reasonable, cover medical facilities and many more. Every year the university recognizes the best students and award them based on their performance, behavior, leadership, and many more traits.
8 Bowling Green State University (BGSU)
Bowling Green, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 83%
Average Financial Aid: $6,785
Acceptance Rate: 76.00
Total Programs Offered (29)
12
Education Programs
6
Health Science Programs
3
Business Management Programs
8
Other Programs
Bowling Green State University is one of the top public research universities. It has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offers academic programs in Bachelor’s, Certificates, and Master’s level.
It gives many scholarships to support students in their educational programs. Most of the scholarships are available for freshman, for all students, for single parents, and more. Around 90% of all freshmen receive some type of financial assistance. It generally covers all instructional and general fees, non-resident fees, room, meals, books, transportation, and some other expenses.
To get admission in Bowling Green, an average minimum GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0 is necessary. BGSU library has a collection of more than 7 million items and is focused on giving the data access to all people who are a part of the university community.
9 University of Findlay
Findlay, Ohio
Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Financial Aid Percentage: 100%
Average Financial Aid: $22,220
Acceptance Rate: 73.00
Total Programs Offered (22)
13
Business Management Programs
5
Education Programs
1
Information Systems Program
3
Other Programs
University of Findlay is a private institute which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It gives above 90 Degree options in the field of Arts, Sciences, Social Science, etc.
It was one of the first universities to offer online courses to the students’ benefits. The same services are provided as given to the campus student. This institute is also known for supporting the military students and their families by giving them benefits.
Students get the opportunity to be a part of any among the 100 organizations which are of different interests. There is an intramural program which has 25 activities that include Basketball, Bowling, Billiards, etc.
10 Miami University
Oxford, Ohio
Institution Type: Public
Financial Aid Percentage: 67%
Average Financial Aid: $10,816
Acceptance Rate: 65.00
Total Programs Offered (11)
7
Education Programs
2
Fine Arts Programs
1
Biology Program
1
Other Program
Miami University is a public research institute which has its accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It gives over 120 areas of study for a Bachelor's degree and above 70 Master’s and Doctoral degrees. The total cost for studying here is $15378 for Ohio residents and for non-Ohio residents, it is $34,895.
eLearning Miami is its online learning resource. It gives top programs with quality courses and flexible learning. It helps the military members and their dependents for their transition into school smoothly.
Almost all the students who apply here are considered for the scholarship called Scholarships for First-Year. Students are also awarded for their achievement in athletics. Similarly, many loans, grants, and fellowships are also awarded.
