Best Online Colleges in Ohio for 2024

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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: