Ohio University is included on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Value Colleges for 2019, one of just seven institutions in the state to make the list.
OHIO is the fourth-ranked public institution for best value in Ohio, according to Forbes. OHIO, one of the nation’s oldest universities, offers more than 275 programs in its nine undergraduate colleges. OHIO tied for 167th among public institutions nationally and 247th overall.
The Forbes Best Value Colleges ranking is focused on identifying colleges that minimize the price tag of a college diploma, focusing on value over prestige. The rankings were based on data from 645 colleges and universities in all 50 states, scoring them on quality, net price, net debt, alumni earnings, timely graduation, and access for low-income students.
“A college education remains key toward higher long-term incomes, both for their academic value and the life-altering experience students can get at Ohio University,” said Craig Cornell, Senior Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management at Ohio University. “OHIO employs a wide variety of methods to ensure a quality Ohio University educational experience remains accessible and affordable for all of our students.”
Ohio University has taken a number of steps to ensure affordability for students. The University awards more than $50 million in institutional grants and scholarships every year, and 95% of incoming freshmen receive financial support. OHIO was the pioneer in the state in creating The OHIO Guarantee, which was implemented on the Athens Campus in 2015 and extended to the regional campuses in 2018. The Guarantee provides students and their families with a comprehensive set of rates that don’t change for four years from the date of enrollment, making budgeting for college much easier for students and parents.
Another way for students to reduce their expenses is through the Strategic Transfer Education Plan, where they can start their college careers at any of the more than 20 colleges in three states with which Ohio University has partnered. These students have all the opportunities that OHIO offers, including the controllable costs of the OHIO Guarantee. The University has also expanded access to scholarship dollars through the OHIO Match program; invested in online course offerings and Online Educational Resource options through the Textbook Initiative to decrease students’ costs for textbooks; partnered with Top Hat to help faculty convert required textbooks and course materials to digital options; and improved operational efficiencies to keep overall costs down.