There are about 200 colleges and universities in Ohio that provide online education, and most of them have undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Ohio is one of the first states that may adopt the Quality Matters (QM) process, a strategy of evaluating and validating online and hybrid degree programs. As of the moment, Ohio has the biggest faculty pool, fully competent according to the QM rubric. This may be why 30% of postsecondary students in Ohio are acquiring a certain level of education in digital format.
From 2015 to 2016, Ohio was the host to 208 degree-granting academic institutions, and only about five other states have a higher number of schools. Such totals include about 76 for-profit institutions, 72 nonprofit institutions, and 60 public institutions. In 2016, there were a total of 658,229 students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in the state.
Ohio typically hosts a substantial number of online students. As of 2015, there were at least 171,158 bachelor’s degree students and 27,036 master’s degree students who took at least one online course in an online academic institution in Ohio. Such numbers are a representation of 29.7% of the total population of students enrolled in Ohio. From 2012 to 2015, there was an increase of 18.7% in the percentage of students taking at least one online course in an online academic institution in the state.
As of 2015, the total number of students who took online courses is 76,706, this is about 11.5% of the student population in Ohio. Such student populations can be broken down into 60,052 undergraduate and 16,654 graduate students. Although 81% of students came from Ohio, some of the students reside out-of-state but are enrolled in an online course. Among the population of Ohio students, 88% took purely online courses or hybrid courses.
METHODOLOGY
Our list of the 5 Top Online Schools in Ohio boasts top-notch online programs of a diverse range that demonstrate the academic institution’s commitment to academic quality. The staff and researchers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com came up with this list to provide prospective online students with the best distance learning options and obtain their online degree. All the online schools share these features:
- Highly competent and acclaimed online faculty consisting of top contributors to their fields of expertise,
- An exceptional online learning platform that allows students to virtually access their coursework with ease,
- Rigorous coursework and curricula designed to educate and train future industry professionals,
- Accreditation from top agencies and organizations that uphold quality academic standards.
Get more information about our ranking process. Visit our Methodology Page.
Ohio University-Main Campus
Founded in 1804, Ohio University-Main Campus is considered a large, public research academic institution. The university has about a hundred undergraduate and graduate programs and has a student population of 35,000. Approximately 6,000 bachelor’s degree holders are in the online programs of Ohio University.
Ohio University has five online associate degree programs and ten online bachelor’s degree completion programs for a wide variety of subject areas and levels. Students who want to earn a master’s degree have about 30 online alternatives, which mainly include programs in public administration, business, education, and engineering. Online students can also earn academic credit for life experiences through the enrolment in a course leading to the creation of a personal portfolio that demonstrates work and life experiences. In addition, all online students may be partnered with an academic advisor. They may also use support resources given through the eCampus Success Center.
Notable online bachelor’s degree alternatives include such degrees as that of integrated healthcare studies and applied management, as well as, applied human and consumer sciences, which equips students for leadership roles in terms of customer service. Associate degree students have the opportunity to earn a completely online degree in equine business management, featuring courses such as event management, law, and equine marketing.
The university delivers coursework in both asynchronous and synchronous format, which is a blend of web-based coursework with other learning strategies. Even though students can complete online classes, they may also obtain credits through faculty-approved independent projects and print-based correspondence coursework. Print-based coursework is ideal for students without internet access, while independent learning alternatives may serve as a replacement for courses not available in distance format. Online bachelor’s degree students may complete coursework purely online.
Ohio University has partnerships with over 20 community colleges, enabling associate degree graduates to be able to transfer their credits towards any bachelor’s degree program. Aside from this, students can acquire credits through the Experiential Learning Program, which generally provides recognition to nontraditional learning obtained in terms of work experience and volunteering.
Location: Athens, Ohio
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum high school GPA of 3.5
- ACT score (22 to 26)
- MBA does not require GMAT scores
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University can give opportunities for online learning at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. There are three bachelor’s degree programs, and there are also RN to BSN program that can be regarded as degree completion programs, which means that students need to have an associate degree before enrollment.
Master’s students may select from among eight programs, such as business, health sciences, and education. Online students may also pursue bachelor’s degrees in counseling, organizational leadership, bioethics, business administration, and nursing. Students experiencing academic challenges may benefit from the university’s 24/7 Online Help Portal. Other resources mainly include library services, advising, and online tutorials.
The university’s online bachelor’s in organizational leadership is considered to be a degree completion program and needs about 47 credit hours for completion. Full-time students need to meet the requirements in two academic years. The required coursework in this major covers urban policy, urban diversity, and human resource management. Graduates may go for leadership roles in private, public, and nonprofit organizations.
The Master of Science in Health Sciences equips students for leadership positions in the healthcare industry. It enables professionals to achieve career advancement in terms of administrative, educational, and clinical roles. Students may complete their respective degree programs in two years, but part-time study is also possible, and this is because CSU provides required coursework, such as leadership roles in health sciences, issues in health sciences, and culture and healthcare. In general, most CSU graduate students complete their 100% online or blended degree with a graduate certificate in data-based decision making.
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Admission Requirements:
- Professional and academic experience in the field
- Minimum of 60 semester hours
- GPA of 2.0 or higher
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Bowling Green State University
Founded in 1910, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) was built as a teacher training school. The large public research university gives numerous education-focused degrees but has about 200 academic programs across multiple disciplines.
The e-Campus of BGSU has degree programs which can be completed purely online. Students may select from about 40 online distance programs, which mainly include exclusively online and hybrid programs.
There are about six bachelor’s degree options, wherein most students can accomplish in a 2+2 format. Some online bachelor’s degree programs include quality systems and fire administration. All programs have at least six start dates annually, which means that students can begin classes at their most convenient time. Students also learn through seven-week and eight-week coursework and may take one to two courses simultaneously. Coursework is delivered in an asynchronous format; however, students should be able to comply with assignment deadlines and regular discussion forums. Bachelor’s programs require completion of 120 credits or more while master’s degree programs need about thirty. Master’s degree students may also earn a degree in less than two years.
The university has numerous online graduate degree programs, and students have the opportunity to specialize in multiple areas, which mainly include learning design, autism spectrum disorders, and assistive technology. The university also has a non-credit cybersecurity program, leading to a Mile2 certification.
Students searching for career advancement may take advantage of the university’s online endorsement programs and certificate programs. Typically, students need to take five to six courses and complete it in just one year.
Location: Bowling Green, Ohio
Admission Requirement: Minimum high school GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Franklin University
Franklin University is a private, nonprofit university built in 1902. Franklin University has a broad range of online programs that aim to make it easier for working adults to have the education that they need. There are degree programs on every level from associate to doctoral. Students have the opportunity to choose among 12 online associate degrees, 37 bachelor’s degree programs, 14 master’s degree programs, seven doctorate programs, and five certificate programs.
Purely online degrees are available for fields like technology, social science, communications, healthcare, finance, and business. Online business degree programs offered include majors like business forensics, marketing, accounting, and entrepreneurship. Online students may also earn an online Bachelor of Science in public relations degree. Course offerings for this particular degree are public relations and promotional strategy, client engagement, crisis communication, media, media research, and writing.
Bachelor’s degree students may transfer up to 94 credit hours and may earn academic credits through passing scores on comprehensive tests. Master’s degree students may transfer up to 12 credit hours and may graduate in only 14 months. All online students may have an academic advisor who can help assist in career and educational planning.
Graduates may enhance their communication skills to handle the common public relation concerns in the professional world. The required capstone project and coursework provides real-world experience for students on practical knowledge and media-based tools. Students may also decide to pursue master’s degree programs in accounting, public administration, marketing and communication, and computer science.
The university offers online doctorate programs in organizational leadership, instructional design leadership, healthcare administration, and business administration. Incoming doctorate students have the opportunity to transfer at least 40% of their credits. A doctorate can typically be completed in three years, including a year of dissertation writing.
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA in major areas
- Earn a C or higher in all coursework
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo, founded in 1872, is a large public research university, serving about 23,000 students in 19 campuses. It has online programs from the associate to the doctoral level, and it also includes nine associate degrees, ten bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and two doctorate programs. There are about 46 fully online degree programs as well, wherein 20 of which are associate and bachelor’s degree programs.
Associate degree programs pertain to programming, computer software, and computer network administration. Students may choose business-oriented degree programs in accounting, business management technology, and business administration. Other online degree programs are marketing, communication studies, and liberal studies. Online students may also pursue degree completion programs in interdisciplinary studies, which enable students to establish a program revolving around goals and personal interests.
Technical support can be accessed through email, phone, or live chat, and virtual tutorials for undergraduate students are offered through the Ohio e-Tutoring Collaborative. Students may also access library services through the eLibrary Services Portal, which permits online students to look for library resources within the Blackboard learning platform. The university itself aids in test proctoring for students living more than 50 miles outside the campus. Career counselors give networking opportunities and enable online students to look for internships and jobs.
Graduate students may select from a wide range of master’s and doctoral degree programs, which include a Master of Science in Biomedical Science-Human Donation Science. The Master of Science and Education in Biology typically require two, one-week residencies. Doctorate alternatives entail a doctorate of nursing practice along with a degree in special education.
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Admission Requirement: GPA of at least 2.0
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Ohio is considered to be the home of world-class academic institutions which provide students the opportunity to attend high-quality online education. In-state tuition and scholarships are the reasons why most of the online schools in the state are so affordable; however, incoming students can expect them to be properly accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, as well.
During the academic year 2017-2018, most of the in-state students in Ohio public four-year universities paid an average of $10,505 for tuition and miscellaneous fees. Out-of-state students at public four-year academic institutions, on the other hand, spent an average of $25,000 tuition and fees combined. At Ohio State University, in-state students were able to pay an average of $10,590 for tuition and miscellaneous expenses, while out-of-state students paid $29,700.
A specific program of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) allows students in the midwestern region to go to out-of-state schools in their area. The tuition reciprocity program encourages students in MSEP states to pay lower tuition rates. Even though the MHEC is made up of twelve midwest states, about ten of them, namely, Wisconsin, Ohio, North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, and Illinois are part of the MSEP tuition reciprocity program. This program consists of about 100 academic institutions, which means that students in the midwest can benefit more on affordable postsecondary programs.
The tuition reduction agreement takes into consideration the fact that universities and colleges place a cap on the rate of tuition in out-of-state students from the midwestern region. Public academic institutions agreed not to charge out-of-state students greater than 150% of the tuition cost for in-state tuition. There are educational institutions which give 10% tuition discounts for out-of-state students. Students involved in the reciprocity program save $500 to $5,000 a year. Ohio also has the Forever Buckeyes program, which enables students who are graduates from an Ohio high school to go back to Ohio and obtain in-state tuition rates once they enter college.
METHODOLOGY
By putting together the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Ohio, it is our goal to help future online students in the state make the right decision by enrolling in the best quality online program that does not break the bank. These online academic institutions offer a range of degree programs and courses at very affordable rates. They also provide qualified students several opportunities for financial aid.
Kent State University
Founded in 1910 as a teacher training school, Kent State University (KSU) has about 280 majors. It has a student population of about 44,000 students through eight campus sites and online offerings. There are about 30 online programs that the university offers.
KSU has a wide range of programs for professionals searching for further educational advancement from the undergraduate or graduate programs to certificate programs. There are six online undergraduate degree programs in healthcare, business, and public health. Students may find programs that specialize in information technology or other areas at Kent. Certificate programs usually include college teaching training, nursing, and healthcare programs. Students may experience accelerated programs which enable them to complete their assignments at their most comfortable pace.
There are a few notable online bachelor’s degree programs. One is the online Bachelor of Science in Insurance Studies, which gives way for students to prepare for the national licensure exams and professions in the insurance field. There is also an online bachelor’s program in respiratory care, which provides training for respiratory therapists seeking career advancement. Students may also earn a Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree purely online in just one year. Nursing classes begin every seven weeks for the whole year, but there are three start dates for most online programs. Online students may choose from numerous certificate and associate programs.
Graduate students may choose from more than numerous online alternatives as well, such as programs in geographic information science, digital sciences, and art education. There is also a master’s in business administration (MBA) that students may complete in about 12 months through eight-week modules. MBA students may concentrate on supply chain management or international business. There are also dual master’s degree programs in library and information science and nursing. Students may also earn multiple degree programs through a combination of on-campus and online study.
Nonresident online students get to pay lesser tuition fees and rates than out-of-state on-campus students. To be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition, students need to be registered in an approved 100% online program. Tuition is $465 per credit hour.
Location: Kent, Ohio
Admission Requirements:
- High school or GED transcripts
- ACT and SAT scores
- Post-secondary college credits
Accreditations:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Franklin University
Franklin University is recognized as one of the top schools both in terms of quality of academic education and affordability. About 80% of students take online courses through accredited degree programs that can be fully attained for the working professional. There are various online programs in this university, and it also confers endorsements, certificates, and degrees at the doctorate, graduate, or undergraduate levels. Online degree programs offered in the university range from nursing, education, engineering, communication, marketing, business management, finance, and accounting.
Franklin University also has a generous transfer policy since college credits can be transferred effortlessly among online students. Student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. Students have the opportunity to choose the flexibility of their degrees, and they may enjoy certain benefits, which include on-demand and live courses plus programs offered completely online or with minimal residency requirements. Other features of the university’s online degree programs include an online library, online bookstore, financial aid services, 24/7 technical support, academic and career advising. Tuition per credit hour is $526.
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA in major areas
- Earn a C or higher in all coursework
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo continues to generate an environment that students of numerous backgrounds may pursue. Students have the opportunity to enroll part-time or full-time, in online and evening classes. Professors and instructors may earn endorsements for those in the transition to work, preschool special needs, and reading. Online students have complete access to the technical support and library services, including access to financial aid and available scholarship opportunities.
Through scholarship opportunities embedded into their online programs, the university makes it more convenient for transfer students, military personnel, and those who want to become certified in their respective fields to look for scholarships.
The University of Toledo provides an affordable degree program to those residing in Ohio, and it has also made a commitment to price-lock students for four years. Tuition is $335 per credit hour.
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA in major areas
- Earn a C or higher in all coursework
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University (CSU) has five online programs, such as bioethics, and counseling, and more. They have a specific accreditation list which ranges from regional to program-specific accreditation. This enables students in the professional track to pursue a degree in areas of study like nursing, law, and psychology. Other degree programs include business administration, education, and science, while certificate programs include bioethics.
CSU has a graduation rate of 43%, an acceptance rate of 90%, and a retention rate of 87%. The online learning platform of the university is most ideal for highly motivated students who are juggling both family responsibilities and careers while pursuing their education.
CSU is also one of the most affordable universities with a tuition rate of $10,000 plus fees. Tuition per credit hour is $409.55 for in-state students and $583.40 for out-of-state students. Most out-of-state students pay only about $3,000 average tuition.
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Admission Requirements:
- Professional and academic experience in the field
- Minimum of 60 semester hours
- GPA of 2.0 or higher
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Ohio Christian University
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is also considered as one of the top schools both in terms of affordability of tuition and academics. It was founded in 1948 as it is a Bible college, and it currently offers about 30 graduate degrees and undergraduate degrees. It is one of the best academic institutions in Ohio that feature online programs, with 17 campus locations across Georgia and Ohio.
Multiple online programs were created to cater to the needs of students in their early stages of life. Student programs for graduating high school students and adult programs are meant for those who want to earn a degree in about two years or dual enrollment for those willing to add their online learning with personal engagement. The university also has a unique credit-earning program that enables professionals with real-world experiences and certifications to be able to earn college credits for their degree. Credits may be granted for aspects such as work experiences, training programs, non-credit classes, self-study, workshops, and seminars. Coursework is delivered in an asynchronous format, without on-campus residencies. Online students go through the curriculum as a cohort, at least one course at a time. Undergraduate students are required to complete at least 45 general education credits in courses such as behavioral science, biblical literature, and theology.
The university also has numerous bachelor’s degrees through the OCUOnline Plus program, which combines online coursework with in-person, for-credit experiences. OCUOnline Plus students may complete their degree purely online or earn additional credits through on-campus coursework, biblical intensives, study abroad programs, and internships. The OCUOnline Plus program caters to high school graduates, as it offers bachelor’s degrees in psychology, English, history, political science, and business.
The university has a generous transfer policy, and undergraduate students may earn up to 24 credits from non-credit work, which will include professional experience, training programs, and workshops. Aside from this, the university has full maintenance of articulation agreements with numerous two-year colleges, universities, and technical schools like Southern State Community College and Columbus State Community College.
OCU is also regarded as one of the most affordable online universities in Ohio. Tuition is $380 per credit hour. The university charges online students lower rates compared to on-campus students.
Location: Circleville, Ohio
Admission Requirements:
- At least 2.0 GPA
- SAT scores above 980
- ACT scores above 19
- At least 50 credit hours in an accredited university or college
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
