UC vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

UC vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC or ONU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than ONU ($24,696 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 7.1% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($13,564 vs. $14,604).
• Ohio Northern University is 184.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $25,824 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at ONU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $10,490 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (97% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 237.9% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($27,696 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. ONU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC or ONU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ONU and UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Northern University (1290) is 20 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming UC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at ONU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than ONU (74.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 19.9% at ONU.

UC vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC and ONU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ohio Northern University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $25,600 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.