Why Choose a Public College or University in Ohio?
There are many reasons a student may choose a public college or university. Public colleges and universities typically have larger student bodies, which leads to a larger number of student clubs and activities. Public institutions also tend to have more diverse student bodies, more affordable tuition, and more program options than many private schools.
Conversely, some students may prefer private institutions due to smaller class sizes and a more close-knit community.
According to 2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are 60 public colleges and universities in Ohio. Ohio also has reciprocity agreements with Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, and Michigan. This allows some students from these states to enroll in public colleges and universities in Ohio and pay the in-state tuition cost.
Pros and Cons of Attending a Public College or University in Ohio
Pros
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Public colleges and universities typically have lower tuition rates than private institutions.
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Public colleges and universities have large student bodies with dozens of clubs and activities to get involved in.
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Public institutions tend to have more diverse student bodies.
Cons
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Public colleges and universities may not have as much financial aid available as private institutions.
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Public colleges and universities often have larger classes and less individualized attention than private universities.
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Public institutions have more courses and electives, but students may not get their top-pick classes because of a larger student body.
Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Universities in Ohio
A nonprofit university does not seek to earn a profit. Instead, it reinvests its earnings back into the school. A for-profit university, on the other hand, has owners or shareholders and its main purpose is to make a profit. For-profit schools mainly get their funding from tuition, while public and private nonprofit schools are funded through state and federal programs, donations, and endowments.
There are 33 private for-profit institutions in Ohio, according to NCES. Prospective students can also choose between 69 private nonprofit and 60 public nonprofit colleges and universities.
There are many pros and cons of for-profit and nonprofit universities. For example, for-profit universities have higher acceptance rates, while nonprofit schools typically offer more support services to students.
All public universities are nonprofit. However, private schools can be either nonprofit or for-profit. You can find out whether a school is nonprofit or for-profit by looking it up on NCES’ College Navigator tool.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend a Public College or University in Ohio?
According to NCES, the average in-state tuition for Ohio’s public four-year colleges in 2019-20 was $9,902, and the average out-of-state tuition was $24,830. This compares to an average of $34,009 per year for tuition and fees at private nonprofit Ohio colleges. The average cost of room and board in Ohio was $12,486 for students at public four-year schools.
In addition to tuition and room and board, students should consider the cost of books and supplies, a computer or laptop if required, and transportation costs to and from school. These are all part of paying for college.
Now let’s look at Ohio’s most and least expensive public colleges and universities. Among the least expensive is Bowling Green State University, which charged $12,547 in in-state tuition and fees during the 2021-2022 academic year. Miami University charged $16,704 in in-state tuition and fees during the same year.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Public Colleges and Universities in Ohio
How many public colleges and universities are there in Ohio?
There are 40 public four-year higher education institutions in Ohio, according to NCES. They include Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, Ohio State University, Shawnee State University, and the University of Toledo. Ohio is also home to 20 public two-year colleges and 65 private nonprofit four-year schools.
What is the most expensive public university in Ohio?
One of the most expensive public universities in Ohio is Miami University. The in-state tuition and fees are $16,704 per year. Miami University claims to provide an Ivy League-quality education at a public school price. The school says that students receive an excellent return on their investment. The school has 19,000 students at its Oxford campus.
What is the least expensive public university in Ohio?
One of the least expensive public universities in Ohio is Bowling Green State University. The in-state tuition and fees were $12,547 in 2021-2022. BGSU claims to prepare its students for a lifetime of career growth, leadership, and engaged citizenship.
The 1,338-acre campus has 119 buildings and more than 800 full-time faculty members. And the school has over 18,000 students with a 19-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
What is the biggest public university in Ohio?
The biggest public university in Ohio is Ohio State University, with about 61,370 graduate and undergraduate students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 19-to-1. The school is recognized for its top-rated medical center and a leading research center and cancer hospital.
Ohio State University is a land-grant university with campuses throughout the state. However, the main campus is near the state’s center in Columbus.
Is a public college or university right for me?
Only you can decide if a public or private institution is right for you. Think about the pros and cons of public universities vs. private universities. Also consider the characteristics of the individual schools you’re interested in.
You should narrow down your choices first by making a list of the schools that offer the major you’re interested in. If the list is still long, narrow your choice down to a geographic area or limit it to online schools if that is your preference. Once you have narrowed your list down to no more than 10 or 12 schools, start looking at how much each school costs and how likely you are to get financial aid.
