2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio
With all of the options veterans have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking is part of that endeavor.
We analyzed 88 colleges and universities across Ohio to determine which were the best for veterans and active service members. To come up with this ranking, we look at more than 20 factors that are all objective measurements. These factors include percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®, whether or not the school has a student's veteran organization, and the school's overall quality.
See what other factors we include in our ranking methodology.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in Ohio
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Ohio State University - Main Campus tops this year’s ranking as the best school for veterans in Ohio. Located in Columbus, Ohio, the large public school awarded 16,911 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Ohio State supports 61,369 students, and 1,851 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 1,158 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,438. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, Ohio State also did well on our Best Schools in Ohio list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Out of the 88 schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s ranking, Union Institute & University landed the #2 spot on the list. Union is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 435 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 809 students enrolled at Union, 35 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 28 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,826. On top of their other funding sources, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Union also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Ohio list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Out of the 88 schools in Ohio that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 10,085 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 984 of the 40,826 students enrolled at UC were GI Bill® students, of which 559 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,066. To help with additional expenses, 18 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. UC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. UC also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Ohio list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ashland University. It ranked #4 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio list. Ashland University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Ashland, Ohio that handed out 1,759 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 4,447 students enrolled at Ashland, 120 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 84 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,529. On top of their other funding sources, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Ashland does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Cleveland State University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in Ohio. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the fairly large public school handed out 3,943 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 15,247 students enrolled at Cleveland State University, 454 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 252 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,719.
With a ranking of #6, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio list. This fairly large public school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 4,258 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, BGSU supports 18,142 students, and 560 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 319 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,774. BGSU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Oxford, Ohio, the fairly large public school awarded 6,104 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Miami University - Oxford supports 18,880 students, and 455 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 290 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,286. On top of their other funding sources, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Miami University - Oxford does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Miami University - Oxford also is in the top 10% of our Best Schools in Ohio ranking.
University of Toledo did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking, coming in at #8. University of Toledo is a public institution located in Toledo, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,810 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 18,319 students enrolled at University of Toledo, 538 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 315 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,079. During this same period, 23 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
University of Dayton landed the #9 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. Located in Dayton, Ohio, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,902 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, UDayton supports 11,650 students, and 185 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 138 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $16,147. In addition to receiving other benefits, 27 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. In addition to its great veterans ranking, UDayton is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Schools in Ohio list.
Baldwin Wallace University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio list. Baldwin Wallace College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berea, Ohio. It awarded 1,070 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 133 of the 3,399 students enrolled at Baldwin Wallace College were GI Bill® students, of which 89 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $20,455. On top of their other funding sources, 48 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 4.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Baldwin Wallace College also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Ohio list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Xavier University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio list. Xavier is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,010 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the 7,061 students enrolled at Xavier, 247 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 196 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,868. During this same period, 79 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Xavier does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Xavier excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Schools in Ohio list.
Wright State University - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio list. This fairly large public school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 3,285 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 866 of the 10,936 students enrolled at Wright State University - Main Campus were GI Bill® students, of which 532 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,522. On top of their other funding sources, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Wright State University - Main Campus does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,814 students in 2019-2020.
Of the 25,714 students enrolled at OHIO Athens, 780 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 427 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,947. During this same period, 5 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. OHIO Athens does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a ranking of #14, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio list. This large public school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 7,115 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Kent State supports 26,822 students, and 780 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 457 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,487. Kent State does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
John Carroll University landed the #15 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. Located in University Heights, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 984 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 3,278 students enrolled at John Carroll, 40 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $14,563. To help with additional expenses, 15 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, John Carroll also is in the top 10% of our Best Schools in Ohio ranking.
Ohio Northern University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. Located in Ada, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 652 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,817 students enrolled at ONU, 45 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 28 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $16,761. To help with additional expenses, 14 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. ONU not only placed well in our veterans ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Schools in Ohio list.
University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking, coming in at #17. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 4,298 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 16,094 students enrolled at University of Akron Main Campus, 571 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 306 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,994. University of Akron Main Campus does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Mount St. Joseph University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 537 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Mount St. Joe supports 2,031 students, and 53 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 28 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $15,633. In addition to receiving other benefits, 11 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Franciscan University of Steubenville landed the #19 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. Franciscan U is located in Steubenville, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 710 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
According to our most recent data, Franciscan U supports 3,304 students, and 88 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 69 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,665. On top of their other funding sources, 13 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Franciscan U does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
University of Cincinnati - Clermont College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. University of Cincinnati - Clermont College is a medium-sized public school located in Batavia, Ohio that handed out 447 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 220 of the 7,504 students enrolled at UC Clermont College were GI Bill® students, of which 148 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,027. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Clermont College
Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking, coming in at #21. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 2,375 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 339 of the 11,835 students enrolled at Youngstown State University were GI Bill® students, of which 177 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,795. Youngstown State University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The University of Findlay came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. Findlay, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,027 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Findlay supports 4,829 students, and 87 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 62 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,887. During this same period, 19 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, Findlay also did well on our Best Schools in Ohio list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Malone University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking. Located in Canton, Ohio, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 451 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Among the 1,463 students enrolled at Malone, 39 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 27 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $15,693. During this same period, 6 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Malone does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio ranking, coming in at #24. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,884 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 113 of the 11,465 students enrolled at Case Western were GI Bill® students, of which 73 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $19,670. On top of their other funding sources, 32 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Case Western did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Schools in Ohio list.
Capital University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Ohio list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 848 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Capital supports 3,020 students, and 52 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 30 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,779. During this same period, 1 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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