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Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, Ohio 45701-2979

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesCollege townSports culture

Known for health sciences

Ohio University-Main Campus is a public institution in Athens with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1212, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 18.5K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

66% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $52,581 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $20,413.

Established
1804
Motto
Religio Doctrina Civilitas, Prae Omnibus Virtus
Mascot
Rufus the Bobcat
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

2 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

85%Acceptance
1212SAT Avg
18,456Students
18:1Student:Faculty
66%Grad Rate
$52,581Earnings 10yr
$20,413Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate84.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1212

Reading & WritingMid: 595
560650
MathMid: 585
540640

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25
2228

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$13,746
Tuition (out-of-state)$24,114
Room & Board$13,594
Books & Supplies$840
Total Cost of Attendance$28,529
Average Net Price$20,413
Median Debt at Graduation$21,056
Monthly Payment (10yr)$223

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,075
$30–48K$14,933
$48–75K$18,808
$75–110K$22,093
$110K+$23,216

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

53.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,332

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

122

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

25

Burglary

5

Aggravated Assault

3

Robbery

8

Motor Vehicle Theft

15

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

37

Drug Arrests

28

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (322)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

82%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
18,456
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
First Generation
34%
Pell Grant Recipients
20%

Race & Ethnicity

White 82%
Black 5%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 2%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate66.4%
Freshman Retention82.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,991
10 Years$52,581

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#198
vs 2024
Forbes
#198
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#231
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

SquadsBasketballBasketball ohioBasketball facingVolleyball teams

History & Fun Facts

  • A university in the Ohio Country was first envisioned by Manasseh Cutler, credited as the school's founder along with Revolutionary War Brigadier General Rufus Putnam.
  • In 1787, a contract was made between the Board of Treasury of the United States and the Ohio Company of Associates, which set aside the College Lands to support a university.
  • In 1802, approval was granted by the government of the Northwest Territory for the establishment of the American Western University, but the school was not operated under that name.
  • Ohio University was recognized by the new state on February 18, 1804, with its charter being certified by the Ohio General Assembly.
  • It was the first university established in the former Northwest Territory.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

89Low

Estimated from OH state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Columbuspop. 900K
65 mi(113 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
136 mi(236 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
152 mi(263 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CMH Columbus63 mi
PIT Pittsburgh127 mi
CVG Cincinnati139 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA613 mi · ~17h 43m drive
New York, NY439 mi · ~12h 41m drive
Hartford, CT523 mi · ~15h 7m drive
Providence, RI586 mi · ~16h 56m drive
Albany, NY492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Syracuse, NY402 mi · ~11h 37m drive
Rochester, NY353 mi · ~10h 12m drive
Buffalo, NY298 mi · ~8h 37m drive
Philadelphia, PA371 mi · ~10h 43m drive
Pittsburgh, PA136 mi · ~3h 56m drive
Harrisburg, PA284 mi · ~8h 12m drive
Newark, NJ430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Washington, DC273 mi · ~7h 53m drive
Baltimore, MD293 mi · ~8h 28m drive
Atlanta, GA406 mi · ~11h 44m drive
Charlotte, NC292 mi · ~8h 26m drive
Raleigh, NC310 mi · ~8h 57m drive
Miami, FL944 mi · ~27h 16m drive
Orlando, FL747 mi · ~21h 35m drive
Tampa, FL786 mi · ~22h 42m drive
Nashville, TN336 mi · ~9h 42m drive
New Orleans, LA790 mi · ~22h 49m drive
Richmond, VA281 mi · ~8h 7m drive
Chicago, IL339 mi · ~9h 48m drive
Detroit, MI213 mi · ~6h 9m drive
Minneapolis, MN691 mi · ~19h 58m drive
St. Louis, MO438 mi · ~12h 39m drive
Kansas City, MO668 mi · ~19h 18m drive
Indianapolis, IN218 mi · ~6h 18m drive
Columbus, OH65 mi · ~1h 53m drive
Cleveland, OH152 mi · ~4h 23m drive
Milwaukee, WI396 mi · ~11h 26m drive
Dallas, TX936 mi · ~27h 2m drive
Houston, TX1002 mi · ~28h 57m drive
Austin, TX1083 mi · ~31h 17m drive
San Antonio, TX1155 mi · ~33h 22m drive
Los Angeles, CA2022 mi · ~58h 25m drive
San Francisco, CA2163 mi · ~62h 29m drive
San Diego, CA1999 mi · ~57h 45m drive
Seattle, WA2071 mi · ~59h 50m drive
Portland, OR2090 mi · ~60h 23m drive
Denver, CO1217 mi · ~35h 9m drive
Phoenix, AZ1707 mi · ~49h 19m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1571 mi · ~45h 23m drive
Honolulu, HI4557 mi · ~131h 39m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Ohio University-Main Campus Application Checklist

Decision Notifications