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2023 Best Online Colleges in Ohio

By OnlineU Staff Writers | Updated 5/17/2023
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As the seventh most populous state in the country, Ohio is home to over a hundred degree-granting colleges and universities. In 2020, a total of 654,555 students enrolled in postsecondary education across the state, including many that pursued an online education. One year later Ohio continues to attract new students to enroll in universities. Over 25,000 new and out-of-state students chose the state as their destination for post-secondary education. Tuition cost is always a factor, especially for first-time students. Ohio has year-after-year tuition guarantees from all 13 of the state's public undergraduate universities. This, along with over a dozen more affordable online community colleges in Ohio, make it a formidable choice for college students on a budget.

The list below provides the top five universities in Ohio based on salary scores. View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU.

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2023 Best Online Colleges in Ohio

RankSchool Salary Score Median Starting Salary
# 1 #1 University of Cincinnati 64 64 $46,695
# 2 #2 Franklin University 62 $45,821
# 3 #3 Ohio State University - Main Campus 61 $42,736
# 4 #4 Tiffin University 58 $39,703
# 5 #5 Ohio Christian University 51 $38,129

#1 University of Cincinnati

  • Salary Score: 64
  • Median Starting Salary: $46,695
  • Locations: Cincinnati (and 1 other)
  • Accreditation: HLC

University of Cincinnati (UC) is a public institution located in the heart of Cincinnati, OH. Their program catalog features 53 online degrees in fields such as special education, nursing, management, and liberal arts. Additional examples include an Associate of Applied Business in Business Applications Technology, a Bachelor's in Social Work, and an Application Software Support Specialist Certificate. For advanced students, UC offers several master's, doctoral, and graduate certificates in a wide variety of fields, ranging from nutrition to taxation.

All online coursework is taken through the Canvas learning management system (LMS), which allows for a flexible online study experience. Distance learners may receive grants and financial support, along with personalized support and guidance that begins before a student enrolls.

#2 Franklin University

  • Salary Score: 62
  • Median Starting Salary: $45,821
  • Locations: Columbus
  • Accreditation: HLC

Franklin University is a private university in Columbus, OH that specializes in online learning. In fact, nearly 80% of the student body takes online courses. Franklin's programs cover a wide variety of fields — such as business, education, healthcare, social science, and technology. Within the business field alone, Franklin offers 18 online bachelor's degrees, where students can study sports, marketing, communications, and more. Master's and doctoral degrees are also included in their slate of offerings. Students may choose to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Data Analytics.

Students can take online courses on a flexible schedule through the BlueQuill LMS, which includes a combination of live streams, pre-recorded lectures, interactive assignments, and online tests. Online students also have access to credit transfer support, along with free tutoring and writing research assistance, personal advising, and 24/7 digital libraries and catalogs.

#3 Ohio State University - Main Campus

  • Salary Score: 61
  • Median Starting Salary: $42,736
  • Locations: Columbus
  • Accreditation: HLC

Ohio State University (OSU) is a public institution located in Columbus, OH. There are 47 online programs available for students, both in-state and out-of-state. However, non-resident students are subject to a surcharge. OSU offers certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and even online doctoral degrees. There are a wide array of subjects to choose from within healthcare, agriculture, public affairs, and science. Some options include an Environmental Assessment Certificate, an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Development and Education, and a Master of Arts in Bioethics.

Online courses are delivered through the popular LMS Canvas, allowing students to study on a flexible part-time or full-time schedule. Remote students also receive academic advising, career services, and telehealth services for in-state residents.

#4 Tiffin University

  • Salary Score: 58
  • Median Starting Salary: $39,703
  • Locations: Tiffin
  • Accreditation: HLC

Tiffin University (TU) is a private university in Tiffin, OH. They offer five online bachelor's degrees and five online master's degrees. For undergrads, there's a Bachelor in Business Administration and a Bachelor in Criminal Justice, along with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. TU even features an associate to bachelor's completion program. The school's master's programs cover fields such as education, science, and the humanities; their most advanced degree is the Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership and Change. Coursework for these online programs is completed through the LMS Moodle.

Tiffin University focuses on being an affordable option for students, with 80% of students taking advantage of at least one form of financial aid. Individual career coaching is available for online students as well, which includes resume and cover letter critiques, mock interviews, networking opportunities, and professional development workshops.

#5 Ohio Christian University

  • Salary Score: 51
  • Median Starting Salary: $38,129
  • Locations: Circleville
  • Accreditation: HLC

Ohio Christian University (OCU) is a private, Christian university situated in Circleville, OH. They integrate faith with learning, even featuring a handful of ministry-based and theological online programs, such as a Master of Arts in Ministry and a Bachelor of Arts in Global Missions. Additional programs are in fields such as emergency management, healthcare, information technology, and finance. Some examples include an Associate of Science in Information Technology, a Bachelor of Arts in Business - Emergency Management, and a Certificate in Healthcare Management. Classes are 100% online through the Brightspace LMS.

OCU offers a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) to assist students and their parents who have an income below $45,000 and don't immediately gain employment upon graduation.

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Higher Education in Ohio

Ohio hosts 164 higher learning institutions that offer associate degrees and above. These schools include 60 public and 104 private institutions, most of them nonprofit. Ohio State University (OSU) is the state’s largest school with more than 45,000 undergraduates enrolled at the main campus alone. 

Many Ohio colleges and universities provide online degree programs. These may be ideal for students who prefer to learn at their own pace and take classes around a full- or part-time work or family schedule.

Online Colleges in Ohio

In 2021, nearly 30% of Ohio's college students took online courses exclusively. This followed a large increase in the state's distance education enrollments over the previous decade, according to a report by the education research company Bay View Analytics. 

Online education had been on the rise even before the COVID-19 pandemic because students are drawn to the convenience and flexibility of distance learning. Most Ohio online degree programs feature asynchronous classes, meaning that students can work on assignments and assessments at convenient times. As long as they respect due dates, distance learners can fit coursework into their busy schedules as they please.

There are institutions with online degrees at all levels of education in Ohio. The table below details some of the different credentials available online: 

Program Type Common Admissions Requirements Estimated Time to Finish
Certificate
  • High school or GED transcripts
6-12 months
Associate degree
  • High school or GED transcripts
  • ACT or SAT scores
2 years
Bachelor's degree
  • High school or GED transcripts showing at least a 2.5 GPA
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Teacher's letter of recommendation 
  • Personal essay 
4 years
Master's degree
  • Bachelor's degree transcripts showing at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors
  • Personal essay on education and career goals
  • GRE or GMAT scores at select schools
2-3 years
Doctoral degree
  • Bachelor's or master's degree transcripts showing at least a 3.0-3.25 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors
  • Personal essay on education and career goals
  • GRE or GMAT scores at select schools
3-10 years (7.5 on average)

Program Type: Certificate

Common Admissions Requirments

  • High school or GED transcripts

Estimated Time to Finish: 6-12 months

Program Type: Associate degree

Common Admissions Requirments

  • High school or GED transcripts
  • ACT or SAT scores

Estimated Time to Finish: 2 years

Program Type: Bachelor's degree

Common Admissions Requirments

  • High school or GED transcripts showing at least a 2.5 GPA
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Teacher's letter of recommendation 
  • Personal essay 

Estimated Time to Finish: 4 years

Program Type: Master's degree

Common Admissions Requirments

  • Bachelor's degree transcripts showing at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors
  • Personal essay on education and career goals
  • GRE or GMAT scores at select schools

Estimated Time to Finish: 2-3 years

Program Type: Doctoral degree

Common Admissions Requirments

  • Bachelor's or master's degree transcripts showing at least a 3.0-3.25 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors
  • Personal essay on education and career goals
  • GRE or GMAT scores at select schools

Estimated Time to Finish: 3-10 years (7.5 on average)

For degrees in other states, see OnlineU's best online college rankings by state or best online colleges by degree level.

FAQs About Online Colleges in Ohio

How Many Colleges Are in Ohio?


There are 164 degree-granting colleges in Ohio. Sixty of these are public schools and most of the rest are nonprofit private institutions.

What Are the State Colleges in Ohio?


Ohio has public community colleges, individual four-year colleges, and schools that are part of larger statewide systems. The public college groups include the Kent State system, the Ohio State University system, and the Ohio University system. Each of these groups has multiple campuses and at least some online degree programs.

How Much Is College in Ohio?


Costs for online Ohio colleges can vary widely by institution. Below, we've listed average costs for Ohio institutions in the 2020-2021 academic year. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics.

  • Public four-year college, in-state resident: $10,049
  • Public four-year college, out-of-state resident: $26,213
  • Private four-year college: $35,352
  • Public two-year college, in-state resident: $4,416
  • Public two-year college, out-of-state resident: $7,888

Tuition reciprocity agreements may help you qualify for in-state tuition rates if you live in Indiana, Kentucky, or West Virginia.

What Are the Best Colleges in Ohio?


The list on this page ranks Ohio online colleges by their Salary Scores, which is our measure of how much their alumni tend to earn in the job market. But just because a college has good employment outcomes doesn't mean it's the right school for you. There are many factors that go into decisions about your education. You can read our Guide to Applying to Online College or University for ideas about how to choose a school.

Higher Education in Ohio

Ohio hosts 164 higher learning institutions that offer associate degrees and above. These schools include 60 public and 104 private institutions, most of them nonprofit. Ohio State University (OSU) is the state’s largest school with more than 45,000 undergraduates enrolled at the main campus alone. 

Many Ohio colleges and universities provide online degree programs. These may be ideal for students who prefer to learn at their own pace and take classes around a full- or part-time work or family schedule.

Online Colleges in Ohio

In 2021, nearly 30% of Ohio's college students took online courses exclusively. This followed a large increase in the state's distance education enrollments over the previous decade, according to a report by the education research company Bay View Analytics. 

Online education had been on the rise even before the COVID-19 pandemic because students are drawn to the convenience and flexibility of distance learning. Most Ohio online degree programs feature asynchronous classes, meaning that students can work on assignments and assessments at convenient times. As long as they respect due dates, distance learners can fit coursework into their busy schedules as they please.

There are institutions with online degrees at all levels of education in Ohio. The table below details some of the different credentials available online: 

Program Type Common Admissions Requirements Estimated Time to Finish
Certificate
  • High school or GED transcripts
6-12 months
Associate degree
  • High school or GED transcripts
  • ACT or SAT scores
2 years
Bachelor's degree
  • High school or GED transcripts showing at least a 2.5 GPA
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Teacher's letter of recommendation 
  • Personal essay 
4 years
Master's degree
  • Bachelor's degree transcripts showing at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors
  • Personal essay on education and career goals
  • GRE or GMAT scores at select schools
2-3 years
Doctoral degree
  • Bachelor's or master's degree transcripts showing at least a 3.0-3.25 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors
  • Personal essay on education and career goals
  • GRE or GMAT scores at select schools
3-10 years (7.5 on average)

Program Type: Certificate

Common Admissions Requirments

  • High school or GED transcripts

Estimated Time to Finish: 6-12 months

Program Type: Associate degree

Common Admissions Requirments

  • High school or GED transcripts
  • ACT or SAT scores

Estimated Time to Finish: 2 years

Program Type: Bachelor's degree

Common Admissions Requirments

  • High school or GED transcripts showing at least a 2.5 GPA
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Teacher's letter of recommendation 
  • Personal essay 

Estimated Time to Finish: 4 years

Program Type: Master's degree

Common Admissions Requirments

  • Bachelor's degree transcripts showing at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors
  • Personal essay on education and career goals
  • GRE or GMAT scores at select schools

Estimated Time to Finish: 2-3 years

Program Type: Doctoral degree

Common Admissions Requirments

  • Bachelor's or master's degree transcripts showing at least a 3.0-3.25 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors
  • Personal essay on education and career goals
  • GRE or GMAT scores at select schools

Estimated Time to Finish: 3-10 years (7.5 on average)

For degrees in other states, see OnlineU's best online college rankings by state or best online colleges by degree level.

FAQs About Online Colleges in Ohio

How Many Colleges Are in Ohio?


There are 164 degree-granting colleges in Ohio. Sixty of these are public schools and most of the rest are nonprofit private institutions.

What Are the State Colleges in Ohio?


Ohio has public community colleges, individual four-year colleges, and schools that are part of larger statewide systems. The public college groups include the Kent State system, the Ohio State University system, and the Ohio University system. Each of these groups has multiple campuses and at least some online degree programs.

How Much Is College in Ohio?


Costs for online Ohio colleges can vary widely by institution. Below, we've listed average costs for Ohio institutions in the 2020-2021 academic year. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics.

  • Public four-year college, in-state resident: $10,049
  • Public four-year college, out-of-state resident: $26,213
  • Private four-year college: $35,352
  • Public two-year college, in-state resident: $4,416
  • Public two-year college, out-of-state resident: $7,888

Tuition reciprocity agreements may help you qualify for in-state tuition rates if you live in Indiana, Kentucky, or West Virginia.

What Are the Best Colleges in Ohio?


The list on this page ranks Ohio online colleges by their Salary Scores, which is our measure of how much their alumni tend to earn in the job market. But just because a college has good employment outcomes doesn't mean it's the right school for you. There are many factors that go into decisions about your education. You can read our Guide to Applying to Online College or University for ideas about how to choose a school.

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