2024 Best Colleges for Middle-Class Students in Ohio

• Columbus, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  5,800 reviews

Senior: As a fourth-year student at The Ohio State University, my experience has been enriching. The diverse academic programs allowed me to explore various fields, and the faculty's expertise and dedication have been invaluable. I've particularly enjoyed the research opportunities, which provided practical skills and experience. Campus life is vibrant, with numerous student organizations and activities, including spirited football games and cultural events. The state-of-the-art facilities, like libraries and recreational centers, have enhanced my experience. One improvement I'd suggest is reducing class sizes in introductory courses for more personalized attention. Overall, my time at OSU has been fantastic, offering a blend of rigorous academics, a lively campus atmosphere, and opportunities for growth. It's been a journey filled with education, experiences, and lasting friendships. Go Buckeyes!... Read 5,800 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $19,474

• SAT range 1250-1440

• Chesapeake, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: I loved how personable the school is. The atmosphere is so inclusive. My instructors have been phenomenal & always have my success in mind.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,918

• SAT range —

• Blue Ash, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  420 reviews

Freshman: Hi, I’m Mi’Kela and I’m an upcoming college freshmen. During my orientation, it was informative and diversified. My orientation was informative because of the strong leaders, support of the students, and discussion. We all came together to discuss the next steps into college with playing games to get to know each other, asking important questions and touring around campus. The strong faces of UC showed me why I wanted to attend there. The leaders were passionate, caring, supportive, attentive and more people should be like them. They showed me why being a UC student was, someone strong, compassionate, on time, dedicated and more. The only I would change is it’s a two year college instead of four and I wish I could stay at the wonderful UC. Thank you for this opportunity.... Read 420 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,681

• SAT range —

• Fremont, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  136 reviews

Sophomore: I've attended this school a few different times. Each time a personal issue got in the way of completion. The staff is always friendly, insightful, and caring. When on campus it provides a good environment for learning, teachers are easy to contact and answer questions quickly.... Read 136 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,320

• SAT range —

• Perrysburg, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  439 reviews

Other: I attended Owens for 4 semesters as a CCP student and really enjoyed my time there. I gathered 34 college credit hours before graduating high school and will be transferring them to a 4 year public university this fall. 26 of these credits were taken online and 8 were in person. The professors really cared and offered support, encouragement, and advice whenever they could. I loved all of my professors and met some really cool classmates. I highly recommend Cory Hoover for English courses and L. Scott Deaner for Human Geography as a general elective course. They were my favorite professors and I took 2 classes with each of them because the content was so interesting. I learned a lot during my time at Owens and met some great friends. It is definitely a different experience from public universities and there aren't a lot of student activities compared with bigger schools since the student body on campus is relatively small. Overall, I am pleased with my experience at Owens.... Read 439 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,861

• SAT range —

• Cincinnati, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  394 reviews

Freshman: My experience at Mount St. Joseph University was truly exceptional, allowing a lasting positive impact on both my academic and personal growth. The university's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community was evident from the outset. The knowledgeable and approachable faculty members played a pivotal role in my academic journey, providing not only valuable insights into their respective fields but also fostering a dynamic learning environment. The campus itself exuded a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, with state-of-the-art facilities that enhanced my educational experience. Beyond academics, Mount St. Joseph offered a plethora of extracurricular activities and clubs, allowing me to engage with like-minded peers and develop a well-rounded skill set. The emphasis on community service and social responsibility further enriched my college experience, instilling in me a sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive impact.... Read 394 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 63%

• Net price $17,142

• SAT range 990-1140

• Salem, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  106 reviews

Sophomore: I love it here at Kent State University at Salem! The staff are all amazing, they are very open in helping anyone if possible and are all very nice. The campus is small, almost like a high school but this can be nice because everyone knows everyone! As a student here, I can tell that the staff, advisors and proffessors strive for our success.... Read 106 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,202

• SAT range —

• Ashtabula, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  128 reviews

Freshman: This is my first semester at Kent State - Ashtabula. So far being a full-time worker while having them guide me through my program and finding a way for me to work towards my degree has been amazing. My academic advisor was able to pull some things together to get me going when I applied in late December when I decided I wanted to attend their nursing program. I would highly recommend anyone to the campus if they're interested in obtaining their associate in nursing.... Read 128 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,994

• SAT range —

• Youngstown, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  1,443 reviews

Alum: YSU was an amazing university. The availability of classes, especially in a smaller major, made completing the degree on time very easy. The campus was clean and felt safe despite being located in a city with some unfavorable statistics. The professors were top notch, intellectual, challenging and welcoming. The Maag Library is the perfect location for a long study session (loved that as a commuter). As a single mom, working a full time job, I was still able to be a full time student at YSU. Go Penguins!... Read 1,443 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 78%

• Net price $12,290

• SAT range 930-1180

• Warren, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  121 reviews

Sophomore: My experience with Kent state University, specifically the Trumbull branch has been and continues to be great. the availability and assistance from the faculty, staff and advisers makes everything very convenient. The engagement from the instructors and professors allows students to build relationships and understand the course content clearly. the classrooms are well maintain and clean. its a smaller community at the Trumbull branch which allows for a smooth transition into the college experience.... Read 121 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,999

• SAT range —

• New Philadelphia, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  150 reviews

Freshman: My overall experience at Kent State University at Tuscarawas was very good. The only thing I had trouble with was some of the professors I had that made me struggle more in the academic department. I enjoyed being hands on in Biology Lab with my peers and learning more as the days went by. My favorite part about this campus is how they offer the Vet Tech Program. I am in fact now in the program and cannot wait to take on more hands-on experience. The reason for my struggles with the professors are the reasons being that some were really hard to understand while others were very unorganized. A lot of stress came upon many students including me when these professors were giving us what we needed. For example, I had a professor that did not give us the correct material to have before tests due to him generating the tests on a website. Even though there were some issues during my first year of college at this campus, it was still a wonderful experience and I can’t wait to start back!... Read 150 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,340

• SAT range —

• Columbus, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  1,770 reviews

Freshman: My experience with CSCC has been amazing. My professors are great and I’m excited about my future. Online learning is a process initially, but once you get in the swing of things it’s great! I haven’t been in school in about 20 years and so much has changed since graduating in 2020’s I’m so glad that I bet on myself and decided to take the leap of faith and return to school. My outlook is great and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Education is one of the biggest and best investments in oneself, and I couldn’t be happy with my decision to attend CSCC. CSCC is not only affordable, but it’s also a great school that offers many different majors. Before deciding to attend CSCC, I looked at many different schools. The lost cost of tuition, and small class size were some of the deciding factors in my choice to attend. Some great things that CSCC offers are scheduling sessions that have SMEs that help walk you through the class selection process. I couldn’t ask for a better school!... Read 1,770 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,093

• SAT range —

• Kirtland, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  430 reviews

Alum: My experience at Lakeland was like no other. I graduated from high school in 2020. I was planning on heading to Kent State when COVID came into play. I knew that going to Lakeland was a good decision, I just didn’t know how much it would impact me. Being mostly online for the past 2 years I still enjoyed every moment. One major thing that made my experience at Lakeland was having the chance to graduate with my aunt. During COVID she thought to herself and brought it to us, why not go back to school? Nobody had an answer to why she shouldn’t. So back to school she went. We actually had 2 classes together! One in person, one online. 2 years later, her and I were able to graduate together with our associate of arts degree and this is something that I will cherish forever. I couldn’t have done it without her by my side. She is one of my biggest supporters, my inspiration, and so much more. So thankful for such a great experience here at Lakeland, I will definitely miss it.... Read 430 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,651

• SAT range —

• Dayton, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,203 reviews

Freshman: I came to Sinclair to acquire a skill in my "gap year" between high school and reapplying to Hillsdale college. I've enjoyed my times at Sinclair and have learned invaluable skills. It was the perfect, affordable option for this year, but because I chose to go to Sinclair, I haven't been able to save up money for the next year of school I need to pay for. Overall, I've been very impressed with Sinclair and their campus. Happy to start next semester with them!... Read 1,203 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,476

• SAT range —

• Cincinnati, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  669 reviews

Senior: Really love the small class sizes and flexible scheduling, plus the fact that their programs are extremely good. Breaks the stereotype of "inferior" community colleges. The horticulture program there is one of the best in the country!... Read 669 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,321

• SAT range —

• Zanesville, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  179 reviews

Freshman: I love my experience at Zane State College so far. The staff, faculty, and teachers are all so kind and truly amazing people. Zane State offers so many opportunites for students to get engaged as well. The college has so many valuable resources for the students, and everyone there always has the needs of the student in mind. Im so glad that I chose to attend Zane State. It keeps me close to home, which allows me to spend quality time with my family and friends. If I were to recommend any college to an unsure student, I would 1000% point them in Zane State's direction!... Read 179 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,009

• SAT range —

• Cleveland, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  1,137 reviews

Alum: My time at Cuyahoga Community College was excellent. I highly recommend this college to everyone. It was my first college to attend and figuring everything out about college was overwhelming but everyone there is so nice and welcoming. The counselors there are very knowledge about the different degrees, majors and universities if you plan on transferring. Getting financial aid was a smooth process because the experts will walk you through each form that needs to be completed. I also felt helped with registering for classes, tutoring and navigating blackboard because the resources they have are vast and accessible. Another thing I love about Cuyahoga Community College is the range of available classes they offer. They offer the same class at different time and days so this is perfect for anyone who can only do part time, evenings, weekends online, etc..... Read 1,137 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,149

• SAT range —

• Marion, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  238 reviews

Niche User: Online courses were all easy and not super time consuming. This is the place to go if you want your degree in a timely manner at a low cost. They have so many resources and most of the textbooks you could find for free online. The only thing that isn't the best is the area. Sure there are things to do but if you are from a city, this place is going to feel small. I would recommend taking your courses online to help give you some free time aswell!... Read 238 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,641

• SAT range —

• Lima, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  242 reviews

Sophomore: Rhodes State is a great school! The class sizes are small, so the professors really get to know you. The tuition is affordable, and so far my Pell Grants have covered most of it. If you are planning to go to a four year school later, you’ll save a lot of money on Gen Ed courses if you start at Rhodes. Rhodes also offers a lot of great certificate and two year degrees that will get you a well-paying career for half the cost of a four year degree.... Read 242 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,606

• SAT range —

• Batavia, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  212 reviews

Other: Clermont College is a great option for anyone looking to take basic college classes. The class sizes are small and the professors know their students by name. Because of the small size of the school, most students study and hang out in the same areas and become familiar with each other. All the students and friendly and the professors really care about each of their students. The cafeteria food isn't great, but that's not a big deal since all the students commute. All the classes at Clermont College use the same technology that the rest of the University of Cincinnati uses, so the college's learning management system is high quality and easy to use. The biggest downsides to Clermont College include the lack of extracurricular activities, the lack of specialized classes and degree programs, and the lack of prestige and course rigor.... Read 212 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,448

• SAT range —

• Newark, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  322 reviews

Freshman: I attended COTC as a College Credit Plus student, overall this was an excellent experience for me and I felt that my professors were extremely helpful and passionate about helping their students. I feel as though after completing 15 credit hours I was certainly thrilled with my experience.... Read 322 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,863

• SAT range —

• Hamilton, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  268 reviews

Other: I am CCP student at Miami University and so far my experience has been nothing short of incredible. While Miami University-Hamilton has a smaller community than most colleges, it has one if the strongest. The staff at Miami University-Hamilton are always there to help. My experience at Miami University-Hamilton is not rare. my mother, sister and extended family have all had the same kind of experience at Miami University-Hamilton. One things I would like to see change is the allowance of student to use things like skateboards, bikes, roller blades as an alternate form of transportation around campus. Overall I have had a very pleasant experience thus far!... Read 268 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,572

• SAT range —

• Mansfield, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  190 reviews

Freshman: North Central State College is a true gem in the world of higher education. From the moment I set foot on its campus, I was impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and the dedication of the faculty and staff. The quality of education I received during my time at NCSC exceeded my expectations. The professors at NCSC are not only experts in their fields but also genuinely care about their students' success. They go above and beyond to ensure that you understand the material and are always willing to provide extra help when needed. The variety of courses and programs offered is impressive, catering to a wide range of interests and career goals. The campus itself is well-maintained and offers a comfortable learning environment. The library and other resources are excellent for academic research and study. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a quality education in a supportive and vibrant community.... Read 190 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,081

• SAT range —

• North Canton, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  367 reviews

Freshman: It has been great, everyone is nice and caring. They make you are okay, they answer any questions you have. They do great with academic advising. I love how i felt welcomed on the first day. Flashes 101 is a great class for freshmen, the professor helps with anything. They bring you around to teach you stuff. There is activity’s done to help students get to know eachother . Everyone is on the same bout with just figuring out being an adult. The professors use their guidance very well and check up on us as we go on with our day. All together I love Kent Stark.... Read 367 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,526

• SAT range —

• Cincinnati, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  28 reviews

Sophomore: GBSC is a great college for people who prioritize spiritual growth. The college is centered around Christ and community. Its chapel services and religious education classes are very enriching and worthwhile. It also offers HLC-accredited general education classes, so there are many people (myself included) who come to get their general education credits and soak in the incredible atmosphere before moving on to other academic pursuits. A few of the gen ed classes have not felt worthwhile, but my experiences in classes within the Music and Ministerial divisions in particular have been terrific. GBSC's opportunities for ministry are absolutely phenomenal. GBSC focuses on spiritual development and it accomplishes this purpose. All in all, a great place.... Read 28 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 65%

• Net price $10,627

• SAT range —