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The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Ohio
What’s Covered:
- Tips for Saving Money on College
- Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio
- How Much Will You Pay for College?
For people living in Ohio, the educational landscape is enormous. Yet the exorbitant price tag of colleges and universities is prohibitive for many students. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable schools right nearby.
Looking to attend college in Buckeye State? Here are 10 of the cheapest institutions in Ohio.
Tips for Saving Money on College
1. Apply for schools that meet 100% of financial need.
Many top colleges and universities have committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need of all accepted students. Look into these schools when you’re building your college list, with the assurance that you will be able to cover the cost of your education.
2. Focus on in-state schools.
In-state public schools tend to be significantly more affordable than private or out-of-state public colleges and universities. The sticker price alone (not accounting for scholarships) is often much lower.
3. Look for scholarships.
Outside scholarships can greatly offset the cost of your education. Many are generous, and if you start looking early, you can secure ample funding — awards you won’t have to pay back after you graduate.
Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio
1. Central State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,306/$6,306
Location: Wilberforce
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Undergrad Enrollment: 2,000
A public HBCU, CSU was established in 1887, originally as a two-year program for teacher and industrial training. Now, the land-grant university, a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, offers a four-year curriculum, with four colleges comprising the school: the College of Engineering, Science, Technology and Agriculture, College of Education, College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences, and College of Business.
Learn more about CSU and what it takes to get accepted.
2. University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $5,520/$14,318
Location: Blue Ash
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 4,800
Formerly Raymond Walters College, UC Blue Ash is a regional campus of the University of Cincinnati, the first regional campus of the larger university, founded in 1967. The university prides itself on providing one of the best values in higher education with affordable tuition, quality teaching, small class sizes, personal attention, and convenient schedule options. UC Blue Ash also provides experiential learning opportunities, such as internship programs and study abroad.
Learn more about UC Blue Ash and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Allegheny Wesleyan College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,400/$6,400
Location: Salem
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: <200
Allegheny Wesleyan is a Bible college that focuses on religious teachings, many of which originated from John Wesley and Arminianism. The college offers a Bachelor of Arts and Associate of Arts in Elementary Education, Cross-Cultural Missions, Music Education, and Religious Studies.
Learn more about AWC and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Wright State University-Lake Campus
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,666/$16,084
Location: Celina
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,000
At Wright State’s Lake Campus, students can easily transfer from two-year to four-year programs and take advantage of the university’s small classes, low tuition, and quality professors. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, certificate, and master’s degree programs. Academics are just part of the experience — you’ll also find economic and technological development projects and community service opportunities.
Learn more about Wright State and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $7,991/$29,975
Location: Mansfield
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,000
OSU’s Mansfield Campus offers 10 bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, students can begin any of the university’s 200 undergraduate degree programs at the satellite campus and finish in Columbus. Either way, students enjoy flexible options and pathways. Thirty student organizations are housed on the campus, along with six academic departments: Education, English, History, Psychology, Social Work, and Theatre.
Learn more about OSU Mansfield and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Ohio State University-Newark Campus
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $7,991/$29,975
Location: Newark
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 2,800
Another OSU satellite campus, the Newark Campus has evolved considerably since its inception when classes were held at Newark High School. As with the Mansfield Campus, students can begin any of the 200 degrees at Newark and complete their programs in Columbus.
Learn more about OSU Newark and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Shawnee State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $8,604/$14,647
Location: Portsmouth
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,000
Established in 1986, SSU is the southernmost member of the University System of Ohio. The school is open-admissions and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs, including those in areas like Early Education, Nursing, Fitness Administration, and Studio Art. The university also has an Honors Program for qualified students. Additionally, it offers student and faculty exchange programs with overseas institutions in countries like Morocco, Spain, and China.
Learn more about Shawnee State and what it takes to get accepted.
8. University of Toledo
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $9,197/$18,557
Location: Toledo
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Undergrad Enrollment: 16,000
UToledo is one of just 27 public research universities in the country to offer such a wide array of academic programs — more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in areas like arts, business, education, engineering, law, medicine, natural sciences, nursing, and pharmacy. Many programs are nationally ranked by U.S. News. Additionally, students have access to more than 400 student organizations.
Learn more about U Toledo and what it takes to get accepted.
9. Bowling Green State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $9,463/$17,452
Location: Bowling Green
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Undergrad Enrollment: 14,800
With a vast array of undergraduate programs — more than 200 in all — BGSU is a nationally-recognized public research university. It began as a normal school specializing in teacher training more than 100 years ago, and since then, it has evolved into a comprehensive institution, part of the University System of Ohio. In addition to its Bowling Green campus, BGSU has a satellite campus in Huron.
Learn more about BGSU and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Franklin University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $9,552/$9,552
Location: Columbus
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,500
A private university, Franklin was founded in 1902 with the primary purpose of serving adult learners. Today, most students complete their degrees — offered at the associate, bachelor, master’s, and doctorate levels — online, although there are courses available at the campus, located in Columbus.
One notable feature of Franklin is its coaching program. Through the program, students have the opportunity to be mentored by industry professionals, called coaches.
Learn more about Franklin and what it takes to get accepted.
Interested in more Ohio schools? Find more affordable colleges in Ohio.
How Much Will You Pay for College?
Colleges list sticker prices, but few students end up paying this amount. Use CollegeVine’s free financial aid calculator to find out what your true estimated cost of college will be at Ohio schools and other institutions across the country.
