Ohio University

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Quick Stats
Athens, OH 45701

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Phone: (740) 593-1000
2011-2012 Tuition
$9,864
in-state
$18,828
out-of-state
Students
20,994
enrolled
43%
male /
57%
female
Admissions
Feb. 1
application deadline
85.1%
accepted

More Information

_

U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category
U.S. News rank Category Name
#124 National Universities

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Summary

Ohio University is a public institution that was founded in 1804. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,994, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,762 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Ohio University's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 124. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,864 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $18,828 (2011-12).

Freshmen at Ohio University (OU) in Athens can ease into their college experience through learning communities, or LCs. These clusters of students take courses together and might live together, too. Students can also check out extracurricular activities, including more than 350 clubs and organizations. With more than 30 fraternities and sororities, Greek life options abound, and more than 20 percent of the student body opts to participate. The Ohio Bobcats compete in the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference and have a traditionally successful men’s basketball team.

Ohio University operates on a quarter system, and students must live on campus until they have completed six academic quarters (or four traditional semesters). Students who commute from a parent’s home within 50 miles of campus are exempt from the housing requirement. OU offers a variety of degree programs for graduate students, too, through academic departments including the College of Education, the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, and the College of Business. Notable alumni of Ohio University include actress Nancy Cartwright, who voices the character of Bart Simpson on the animated TV show The Simpsons; journalist Matt Lauer, coanchor of The Today Show; and Roger Ailes, president of Fox News Channel and former campaign strategist for Presidents Nixon, Reagan, and H.W. Bush.

School mission (as provided by the school):

Ohio University Mission:

Ohio University holds as its central purpose the intellectual and personal development of its students. Distinguished by its rich history, diverse campus, international community, and beautiful Appalachian setting, Ohio University is known as well for its outstanding faculty of accomplished teachers whose research and creative activity advance knowledge across many disciplines.

Ohio University Vision:

Ohio University will be the nation's best transformative learning community where students realize their promise, faculty advance knowledge, staff achieve excellence, and alumni become global leaders.

General Information

School type public, coed college
Year founded 1804
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar quarter
Setting urban
2010 Endowment $277,231,939

Applying

When applying to Ohio University, it's important to note the application deadline is February 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due March 1. The application fee at Ohio University is $45. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 85.1 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate 85%
Application deadline February 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by March 1

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Ohio University is 19:1, and the school has 42.1 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Ohio University include: Secondary Education and Teaching; Speech Communication and Rhetoric; Journalism; Psychology, General; and Radio and Television. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 80.2 percent.

Class sizes
Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio 19:1
4-year graduation rate 46% - Medium
Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates
Secondary Education and Teaching 6%
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 5%
Journalism 4%
Psychology, General 4%
Radio and Television 4%

More About Academic Life

Student Life

Ohio University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,994, with a gender distribution of 43.5 percent male students and 56.5 percent female students. 44.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 56.0 percent of students live off campus. Ohio University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at Ohio University.

Total enrollment 25,108
Student gender distribution
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

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Campus Info & Services

Ohio University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Ohio University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and student patrols. Of the students at Ohio University, 17 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Ohio University.

Students who have cars on campus 17% - Low
Health insurance offered Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer No

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Paying for School

At Ohio University, 58.3 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $7,724.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees $9,864 (2011-12)
Out-of-state tuition and fees $18,828 (2011-12)
Room and board $10,704 (2011-12) - High
Financial aid statistics
Financial aid statistics

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Student Reviews

Ohio Univeristy is Ohio's first and finest University, something we as a student body take great pride in. Generally speaking most people are unaware of the fact that OU and OSU are not synamous terms and often confuse the two. But after enlightening them a little they begin to undertand what out school is all about. There are a plethora of student organizations that people can become involved in, ranging from political to social groups, and sports clubs to advocacy organizations. You're sure to find your niche here at Ohio University. Finally our school is known for its beautiful campus and being the epitome of a "college town." Campus is located at the heart of Athens and since the campus and surrounding community is not as large as some other schools in Ohio *cough OSU*, its not unusual to run into your professors or administrators on weekends or on your way to class.

Ben Senior

The best thing about OU is the atmosphere and the scenery. There isn't a more beautiful place to be in the middle of the fall or the beginning of spring. If there's one thing I would change, it would be the use of all-freshman residence halls. They get a little crazy when first year students don't have anyone to look up to; it's like they're still in high school. I feel like the size of OU is perfect. It's a little big compared to other schools but you can't walk anywhere at any time without passing someone you know. Perfect size, in my opinion. When I first started at OU and told people that I went there, the reaction was typical-"That's a party school, you know". Now that I'm older and have been here for a few years, people will ask normal college-kid questions: What year are you? What's your major?, etc. Athens is definitely a college town and I love it that way. Coming from Columbus, home of Ohio State University, I couldn't imagine going to a university where it's part classes, part skyscrapers. I love the college town atmosphere. Ohio's administration could be a little better, let's be honest. They're doing a lot of things that the student body doesn't agree with but you can't please everyone, right? I couldn't tell you what the biggest campus controversy is, to be honest. It changes from group to group, organization to organization-whatever those people are passionate about. I feel like there is a lot of school pride. You'll see at least 5 people wearing an OU shirt every day. It's not out of control school pride, however (cough-OSU-cough). People don't get out of control. The most unusual thing about OU is the fact that it's haunted and that everyone knows it. OU is home to The Ridges-an old insane asylum. Pretty unique=) The experience I'll never forget is that with my fraternity-Alpha Phi Omega. APhiO is the reason I still go to OU and has provided a number of my college memories. Overall, Ohio University is fantastic. I honestly couldn't imagine being anywhere else for four wonderful years of college.

Caitlin Junior

In my opinion, the best thing about Ohio is the atmosphere and environment. When I first visited OU I immediately fell in love with the campus; it has a college town feel to it. The buildings and scenery is beautiful. In regards to size, I think it is just right. There are enough students for the community to be diverse, but the scale is not so immaculate as to compare it to Ohio State University, for example.

Kim Sophomore

More student reviews

* Overview details based on 2010 data

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