A Guide to the University System of Ohio Ohio’s Public Universities

The University of Akron

Located in Akron, the University of Akron is known for programs connected to engineering, business, health care, law, polymer science, and the region’s manufacturing economy. Its Wayne College campus provides an additional option for students in northeastern Ohio.

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University is located in northwest Ohio and offers a traditional residential college experience. It is especially known for aviation, education, business, nursing, music, and hands-on career preparation through internships, mentoring, and employer connections.

Central State University

Central State University, located in Wilberforce, is Ohio’s public historically Black university and an 1890 land-grant institution. It offers programs in agriculture, education, business, social sciences, and STEM fields, with a strong focus on leadership, service, and community impact.

University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is a large urban university with campuses in the Cincinnati area. It is widely recognized for cooperative education, or co-op, which combines classroom study with paid professional work experience. Popular areas include engineering, design, business, health sciences, and the arts.

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University is an urban public university in downtown Cleveland. Its location gives students access to internships, clinical experiences, and professional connections in one of Ohio’s largest cities. The university offers programs in business, engineering, education, law, health sciences, and public affairs.

Kent State University

Kent State University’s main campus is in Kent, with additional campuses throughout northeastern Ohio. It offers a broad selection of programs and is particularly known for fashion design and merchandising, aeronautics, architecture, business, education, nursing, and communications.

Miami University

Miami University is based in Oxford and is known for its classic college-town setting and undergraduate education. It offers strong programs in business, education, engineering, the arts and sciences, and creative fields. Miami also has regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown.

Northeast Ohio Medical University

Northeast Ohio Medical University, located in Rootstown, is a specialized public university focused on medicine and pharmacy. It prepares future physicians, pharmacists, and health professionals and works closely with partner universities and health-care systems across northeastern Ohio.

The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University is Ohio’s flagship public research university, with its main campus in Columbus. It offers programs across nearly every academic field, including business, engineering, agriculture, health sciences, education, the arts, and research-intensive STEM disciplines. Ohio State also has regional campuses and the Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute.

Ohio University

Ohio University’s main campus is in Athens and is known for its scenic setting, strong student community, and broad academic offerings. The university is especially recognized for journalism, communications, business, education, health sciences, engineering, and the arts. It also operates regional campuses across southeastern Ohio.

Shawnee State University

Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth along the Ohio River. It offers a smaller public-university environment and is particularly known for programs in game design, animation, health professions, education, business, and social sciences.

The University of Toledo

The University of Toledo is a public research university in northwest Ohio with a major academic medical center. Students can explore programs in engineering, business, law, education, nursing, pharmacy, medicine, and the natural sciences.

Wright State University

Wright State University is located near Dayton and has strong connections to the region’s aerospace, defense, engineering, health-care, and business sectors. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including options at its Lake Campus.

Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University is located in the heart of Youngstown. Its programs are closely connected to the Mahoning Valley’s employers and community. Popular areas of study include business, engineering, education, health professions, music, and the arts.