The Buckeye State is home to more than 100 four-year public and private, not-for-profit colleges that award, at a minimum, bachelor’s degrees. Indeed, Ohio ranks among the states with the most colleges in the country. With so many colleges to choose from in Ohio, it can be very difficult to decide on which schools to apply to.
While there are different criteria when researching colleges that you should consider, if you have a strong academic record in high school as well as other critical factors going for you, such as good SAT or ACT scores, participation in extracurricular activities, and demonstrated leadership skills, then you might want to apply to more selective colleges in Ohio. And out of Ohio’s vast number of schools, there are several colleges and universities that are very competitive in their acceptance rates due to their well-established academic rigor and programs.
Thus, in order to find out the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio, BrokeScholar analyzed all the schools in the state that are four-year institutions, including both public colleges and private, not for-profit colleges, that award bachelor’s degrees or higher. Sourcing the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) as well as from individual college websites, we analyzed and ranked all colleges in Ohio in terms of how difficult they are to gain acceptance to. (See the methodology section for more details).
Read on to find out the answer to what are the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio.
Table of Contents
What Are the Hardest Colleges to Get into in Ohio?
The top-15 list of the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio is dominated by private, not-for-profit colleges, though there are two colleges that are public, state institutions. Perhaps not surprisingly, the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio also tend to have higher-than-average graduation rates. Taking together all 104 Ohio colleges analyzed in our study, the overall average graduation rate was 48%. The overall average acceptance rate for these same 104 colleges was 82%. Of the top-15 hardest colleges to get into in the Buckeye State, the one with the highest admission rate is still only 61%, well below the 82% average for the study as a whole.
Below you’ll find a list of the 15 hardest colleges to get into in Ohio, listed in order of lowest acceptance rate to highest acceptance rate. Also included in the breakdown below are costs of tuition and required fees (though required fees do not include room and board):
Ohio Colleges With the Lowest Acceptance Rates |
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| College | Undergraduate Acceptance Rate | Percent Admitted Who Enrolled | Undergraduate Population | In-State Tuition and Required Fees | Out-of-State Tuition and Required Fees |
| Denison University | 22% | 25% | 2,416 | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Case Western Reserve University | 27% | 15% | 6,017 | $61,584 | $61,584 |
| Kettering College | 34% | 49% | 645 | $14,664 | $14,664 |
| Kenyon College | 34% | 1% | 1,885 | $66,490 | $66,490 |
| Oberlin College | 35% | 23% | 2,986 | $62,024 | $62,024 |
| Cleveland Institute of Music | 36% | 30% | 198 | $42,370 | $42,370 |
| Wilberforce University | 45% | 20% | 643 | $13,250 | $13,250 |
| Mercy College of Ohio | 46% | 46% | 1,120 | $18,950 | $18,950 |
| Ohio Dominican University | 52% | 18% | 846 | $33,350 | $33,350 |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | 52% | 16% | 1,410 | $49,822 | $49,822 |
| Ohio State University | 53% | 23% | 46,123 | $12,485 | $36,722 |
| Lake Erie College | 54% | 38% | 738 | $35,024 | $35,024 |
| Mount Saint Joseph University | 54% | 26% | 1,423 | $34,900 | $34,900 |
| Ohio Northern University | 54% | 18% | 2,569 | $36,730 | $36,730 |
| The College of Wooster | 56% | 14% | 1,967 | $57,500 | $57,500 |
Whereas in last year's iteration of this study, Kettering College took the cake, this year, Denison University ranked as the No. 1 hardest college to get into in Ohio. With an undergraduate admission rate of only 22%, Denison essentially accepts 1 in 5 applicants. Case Western Reserve University came in a close second. Its admission rate of 27% is very selective, and the school is well-known for being one of the best biomedical engineering schools in the US.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio:
1. Denison University
Total number of applicants: 12,220
Denison acceptance rate: 22%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 25%
Tuition and required fees: $60,000
Denison University is a very selective private, liberal arts college and the most selective liberal arts college in the state. Unlike many other of the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio, Denison University is solely an undergraduate institution, with its entire student population consisting of undergraduates. Denison University has one of the highest graduation rates in Ohio at 85%, far superior to the 48% average for the study as a whole. However, Denison’s excellent academic credentials come at a high cost. The cost of tuition and required fees for both in-state and out-of-state students is approximately $64,000 per academic year.
Based on NCES data, the most popular major at Denison is Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, with 58 bachelor's degrees earned last academic year. The second most popular major was in Mass Communication/Median Studies, which earned 56 bachelor's degrees.
2. Case Western Reserve University
Total number of applicants: 38,701
Case Western acceptance rate: 27%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 15%
Tuition and required fees: $61,584
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio. Case Western Reserve was established in 1967, when the older Western Reserve University — founded in 1826 and named for its location in the Connecticut Western Reserve — and Case Institute of Technology, founded in 1880 through the endowment of Leonard Case Jr. — were formally federated. With an acceptance rate of 27%, Case Western Reserve is the second hardest college to get into in Ohio. In last year's iteration of this study, Case Western's acceptance rate was 30% and it placed No. 3 on our list.
The university boasts one of the highest graduation rates in Ohio at 86%, the third highest graduation rate out of the more than 100 colleges analyzed in the study. Case Western Reserve is also a major college for graduate studies. Its undergraduate population is approximately 6,017 versus a graduate student population of 6,184. Some notable and successful alumni include Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist; Edward Williams, co-founder of Sherwin-Williams Paints; and the film director/producer brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, who have helmed multiple box office-hit Marvel films.
3. Kettering College
Total number of applicants: 587
Kettering College acceptance rate: 34%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 49%
Tuition and required fees: $14,664
Kettering College offers several levels of degrees, all falling under the category of Health Professions and Related Programs. It's also a fairly small college, with an estimated 645 undergraduate students. These degrees include: 1) Less than one year certificate; 2) Associate's degree; 3) Bachelor's degree; 4) Master's degree; and 5) Doctor's degree - professional practice. Because of its focus on programs related to health professions, Kettering College is fairly small in terms of its student population.
In terms of specific programs, Kettering College offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
- Physician Assistant Program
- Radiologic Sciences & Imaging
- Respiratory Program
- Sonography Program
Though Kettering and Kenyon College both have undergraduate acceptance rates of 34%, Kettering won the tiebreaker: A higher percentage of applicants admitted went on to enroll at Kettering (49%) versus Kenyon (19%).
4. Kenyon College
Total number of applicants: 8,116
Kenyon College acceptance rate: 34%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 19%
Tuition and required fees: $66,490
Located in Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon College is a renowned private liberal arts college, ranking up with Oberlin College and Denison University as one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the state. With an undergraduate acceptance rate of 34%, it just barely edges out Oberlin in selectivity (last year, Kenyon's acceptance rate was higher, at 37%). What's more, Kenyon College beats Oberlin College in terms of its graduation rate, at 87%, which is the second highest graduation rate of colleges in Ohio.
Kenyon College only awards bachelor’s degrees, which means its entire student body is composed of undergraduate students. Kenyon College is also one of more than two dozen colleges with no application fee requirement.
5. Oberlin College
Total number of applicants: 11,066
Oberlin acceptance rate: 35%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 23%
Tuition and required fees: $62,024
Oberlin College holds the prestigious honor of being the oldest coed liberal arts college in the US. Not only being a highly-regarded liberal arts college, Oberlin is also a conservatory of music. With an admission rate of just 35%, Oberlin College is the fifth most selective college in Ohio. Its graduation rate of 83% is among the highest rates in Ohio, and is technically up 1 percentage-point from that year's 82%, which was the seventh highest rate in Ohio.
When it comes to choosing a major at Oberlin, the school has a wide range of programs on offer, though Music Performance, General, boasts the most bachelor’s degrees awarded at 94, according to NCES data.
6. Cleveland Institute of Music
Total number of applicants: 378
Cleveland Institute of Music acceptance rate: 36%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 30%
Tuition and required fees: $42,370
Located in Cleveland, as its name would suggest, the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) is a small, private music conservatory. Its undergraduate population is roughly 198 students, while its total student population is approximately 341, according to NCES data. The Cleveland Institute of Music is highly selective with admissions, having an acceptance rate of only 36%, although that's up 3 percentage-points since last year. The school’s graduation rate improved from 71% last year, to an excellent 83% in this year's iteration of the study.
Graduates of the Cleveland Institute of Music have gone on to become members of significant orchestras throughout both the US and the world. Not only can students at CIM pursue degrees in music, they can also earn dual degrees by taking non-music courses in partnership with Case Western Reserve University.
7. Wilberforce University
Total number of applicants: 4,100
Wilberforce acceptance rate: 45%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 20%
Tuition and required fees: $13,250
Wilberforce University is one of two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to make the top of our list of the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio. And it ranks among the best HBCU colleges in the nation in general. With an undergraduate admission rate of only 45%, Wilberforce University is much more selective than the 82% average admission rate for the study as a whole. Wilberforce is also one of the more affordable colleges to make our list, with an approximate cost of tuition and required fees of $13,250 for both in-state and out-of-state students.
8. Mercy College of Ohio
Total number of applicants: 236
Mercy College acceptance rate: 46%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 46%
Tuition and required fees: $18,950
With its main campus in Toledo, Ohio, Mercy College of Ohio is a private Roman Catholic nursing school, founded as the Mercy School of Nursing in 1918 by the Sisters of Mercy. Mercy College of Ohio offers degrees including certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and graduate programs. In terms of bachelor’s degrees, Mercy College of Ohio provides several programs, such as:
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology
- BSN Nursing Pre-licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging
- Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Degree
- RN–BSN Nursing Online Completion
Interestingly, at Mercy College, the percentage of applicants who get admitted — 46% — is the same as the percentage of those admitted who proceed to enroll at the college.
9. Ohio Dominican University
Total number of applicants: 236
Old Dominican University acceptance rate: 52%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 18%
Tuition and required fees: $33,350
At home in Ohio’s state capital of Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is a private Dominican liberal arts university, with a small student body. It has a little over 900 undergraduate students and a little over 1,300 students in total. With an undergraduate admission rate of 52%, Ohio Dominican is significantly more selective than the study’s overall average of 82%. The university’s graduation rate of 51% is better-than-average, though not as high as many of the other hardest colleges to get into in Ohio. Though it derives its name from the Catholic Dominican Order, the college is decidedly a liberal arts college.
According to NCES data, 35 bachelor’s degrees were awarded for majors in Business Administration and Management, General; 49 master’s degrees were awarded in the same field. Meanwhile, master’s degrees in Physician Assistance, and Educational Leadership and Administration, General, are very popular fields of study.
10. Ohio Wesleyan University
Total number of applicants: 5,324
Ohio Wesleyan acceptance rate: 52%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 16%
Tuition and required fees: $49,822
Located in Delaware, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan University is a respected liberal arts institution founded in 1842, known for its commitment to providing a comprehensive education that intertwines global learning with real-world experiences. The university boasts a rich history of fostering critical thinkers and dedicated leaders. With its competitive admissions process — accepting only a little over half of applicants — Ohio Wesleyan attracts a diverse pool of academically motivated students from various backgrounds.
Admitted students often display a range of accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom. The academic rigor at OWU is evident in its robust curriculum, where faculty and students collaborate closely, engaging in stimulating discussions and innovative research projects. Uniquely, the most popular major at Ohio Wesleyan is Zoology/Animal Biology, which earned 29 bachelor's degrees last academic year.
11. The Ohio State University
Total number of applicants: 1,085
Ohio State acceptance rate: 52%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 23%
Tuition and required fees: $12,485 for in-state | $36,722 for out-of-state
Home of the famous Buckeyes athletic teams, The Ohio State University is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. It’s a member of the University System of Ohio, and has been frequently ranked by major institutional rankings among the best public universities in the US. Though widely known throughout the country for its athletic programs, Ohio State also has very strong academic credentials. The university’s admission rate of 52% makes it far more competitive than most colleges in Ohio. What’s more, Ohio State University boasts a graduation rate of 88%, which is the highest graduation rate out of all the colleges analyzed in the study.
12. Lake Erie College
Total number of applicants: 1,085
Lake Erie College acceptance rate: 54%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 38%
Tuition and required fees: $35,024
Located in Painesville, Ohio, Lake Erie College is a small, private liberal arts college. Its undergraduate population is roughly 738 students. Lake Erie College began originally as a female seminary, but eventually became coed in1985, and now has a very balanced mix of female and male undergraduate students.
With an undergraduate admission rate of 54% makes it one of the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio, though its graduation rate is less impressive at 42%. Lake Erie College offers degrees including postgraduate certificates, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees. According to NCES data, the most popular field to earn degrees in is Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services.
13. Mount St. Joseph University
Total number of applicants: 2,127
Mount St. Joseph University acceptance rate: 54%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 26%
Tuition and required fees: $34,900
Mount St. Joseph University, situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a distinguished Catholic institution founded by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1920. The university stands as a beacon of liberal arts and professional education, underpinned by values of integrity, community, and service. With an undergraduate acceptance rate of 54%, Mount St. Joseph is in a three-way tie with No. 12 Lake Erie College and No. 14 Ohio Northern University. The rigorous academic environment at Mount St. Joseph is marked by small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and a curriculum designed to challenge and inspire. With a faculty dedicated to fostering critical thinking and fostering real-world application, the university ensures its graduates are well-prepared to lead and serve in their respective careers and communities.
14. Ohio Northern University
Total number of applicants: 6,625
Ohio Northern University acceptance rate: 54%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 18%
Tuition and required fees: $36,730
Ohio Northern University (ONU), situated in Ada, Ohio, is a distinguished institution renowned for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs. Established in 1871, this private university boasts a commitment to providing a holistic educational experience. Its admissions process is competitive, attracting a diverse range of high-caliber students every year.
ONU takes pride in its rigorous academic standards, offering a myriad of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The dedicated faculty, low student-to-teacher ratio, and state-of-the-art facilities collectively ensure that students are not only challenged academically but are also well-prepared for their respective careers upon graduation. This commitment to excellence has solidified ONU's reputation as a premier institution in the Midwest.
15. The College of Wooster
Total number of applicants: 7,251
College of Wooster acceptance rate: 56%
Percent admitted who enrolled: 14%
Tuition and required fees: $57,500
The College of Wooster, which is aptly named since it’s located in Wooster, Ohio, is a private liberal arts college. Established in 1866 by the Presbyterian Church, it has since become a non-sectarian institution beginning in 1969. While the College of Wooster has an admission rate of 56%, which is the highest of the top-15 hardest colleges to get into in Ohio, the college’s acceptance rate is still far more selective than the 82% average for the study overall. All of the College of Wooster’s students are undergraduates, with a bachelor’s degree being the highest degree being awarded.
According to NCES data, the most popular majors at the College of Wooster, in terms of the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded per academic year, are: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (31 bachelor's degrees), which is tied with Biology/Biological Sciences, General (31 bachelor's degrees); they're followed by another tie, between Political Science and Government, General (28 bachelor's degrees) and Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (28 bachelor's degrees).
The Bottom Line on the Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Ohio
When it comes to the hardest colleges to get into in the state of Ohio, the top institutions are a mix of private liberal arts colleges, healthcare-focused colleges, and private and public research institutions. Naturally, if you live in the state of Ohio, applying to a public university can save you some money on the cost of college. However, if you’re more inclined towards a smaller college and more intimate experience, then the private, not-for-profit colleges that made our list are the way to go.
The main caveat with these excellent liberal arts colleges is their price tag: Kenyon College, for example, has tuition and required fees totaling more than $66,000 a year; Oberlin University has tuition and required fees costing $62,000 a year; and Case Western Reserve has tuition and required fees totaling more than $61,000 a year. Fortunately, BrokeScholar can help reduce those costs by offering its vast selection of college scholarships that prospective and current students can apply for. What’s more, BrokeScholar’s massive collection of student discounts can bring down the indirect costs of attending college — such as personal costs related to buying textbooks, food, clothes, and much more — that aren’t usually included in colleges’ schedules of fees.
Methodology
In order to identify the hardest colleges to get into in Ohio, we analyzed 104 colleges and universities in Ohio that fit the following criteria:
- Are four-year public or four-year private, not-for-profit institutions
- Offer bachelor's degree programs (at a minimum)
These 104 colleges and universities were sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), as was data on their respective undergraduate populations, undergraduate acceptance rates, costs of tuition and required fees, total number of applicants, and undergraduate student gender breakdown.
