Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
Ohio Northern University is located in the rural village of Ada, Ohio, approximately 70 miles northwest of Columbus. Founded in 1871 as Northwestern Ohio Normal School, the private institution operates on a 342-acre campus characterized by modern academic facilities and traditional collegiate Gothic architecture. The university consists of five colleges, with particularly strong programs in engineering, pharmacy, and law, while maintaining a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. ONU provides guaranteed housing for all four years in its residential campus community, with most students living in university dormitories or apartments. The university competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Polar Bears, participating in the Ohio Athletic Conference across 23 varsity sports.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
ONU is rated within the top 32% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Ohio Northern University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#231 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#176 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#8 in Best Colleges in Ohio
#7 in Best Private Colleges in Ohio
#211 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#6 in Best Value Colleges in Ohio
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1173/1376 |
| ACT | 25/29 |
| GPA | 3.78 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $1,300 |
| Room and Board | $13,200 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,286 |
| Total One Year Cost | $54,486 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 19% |
| Engineering | 16% |
| Health Professions | 11% |
| Biology | 7% |
| Education | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering ONU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=204635 IPEDS survey data for Ohio Northern University.
Current students may use the Ohio Northern University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025