Top Rated Ohio Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in Ohio for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in Ohio as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the best public college in Ohio is Ohio State University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


13 results

Ohio State University
O
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 60,046enrollment
  • $19,575net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1480SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.76Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Miami University
M
Oxford, OH

Miami University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 18,618enrollment
  • $27,928net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1380SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.85Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

University of Cincinnati Main Campus
C
Cincinnati, OH

University of Cincinnati Main Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 43,338enrollment
  • $21,511net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Ohio University Main Campus
O
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 24,937enrollment
  • $20,550net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

University of Toledo
T
Toledo, OH

University of Toledo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,939enrollment
  • $17,927net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
B
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 17,027enrollment
  • $20,987net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Cleveland State University
C
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,117enrollment
  • $16,307net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 880-1130SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Wright State University Main Campus
W
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 9,884enrollment
  • $15,400net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 913-1230SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 23

Kent State University at Kent
K
Kent, OH

Kent State University at Kent

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 26,106enrollment
  • $20,333net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Akron Main Campus
A
Akron, OH

University of Akron Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 13,518enrollment
  • $15,292net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Youngstown State University
Y
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 11,040enrollment
  • $11,740net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Central State University
C
HBCU
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 3,454enrollment
  • $14,821net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 770-950SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA

Wright State University Lake Campus
W
Celina, OH
 

Wright State University Lake Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 1,398enrollment
  • $12,039net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 790-890SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 26