Ohio Northern University

ONU’s five colleges (Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Pharmacy, Law) offer 50+ programs, with engineering, business, and health sciences drawing the most majors. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means 48.4% of classes have fewer than 20 students—critical for hands-on programs like Strength and Conditioning (where students dissect muscle mechanics) or Mechanical Engineering (with a ‘top-notch’ lab and co-op pipeline). The vibe is practical and pre-professional: 96% job placement speaks to ONU’s focus on career-ready skills, not just theory.

Life at ONU revolves around its 342-acre, tree-lined campus, where 75% of undergrads live on-site. With 20+ law student orgs alone (plus 11 dining spots), there’s a club for everything—though the rural setting means students make their own fun. Greek life is present but not dominant, and Division III athletics (Ohio Athletic Conference) draw crowds. Instagram posts show a tight-knit, slightly quirky community: think pumpkin-carving contests, midnight pancake study breaks, and Polar Bear pride (yes, that’s the mascot).

ONU’s 95% placement rate (2025 grads) isn’t marketing fluff—it’s backed by a 97% survey response rate, with most alumni landing jobs or grad school spots within six months. The 70% six-year graduation rate outpaces many regional peers, and outcomes stretch beyond Ohio: engineering grads snag co-ops at Fortune 500 firms, while pharmacy alumni often land at Cleveland Clinic. One Facebook post sums it up: ‘The value of an ONU degree is more than a promise; it’s a proven outcome.’

At $57,236 total cost, ONU isn’t cheap—but 72.83% of students receive aid, with average packages slashing the net price to $26,396. Merit scholarships (guaranteed for four years) hinge on GPA and test scores, while need-based aid?Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. averages $28,000/year. The financial aid office aggressively matches competitor offers, a must for a school where 69% of students rely on assistance. Pro tip: Use their Net Price Calculator early—it’s eerily accurate.

ONU is the anti-factory school: no lecture halls with 300 students, no grads lost in resume piles. Its engineering and health programs rival larger universities’ resources (think NASA-funded labs), while the liberal arts core ensures chemists can write and poets can code. The 95% placement rate reflects a ‘family-like’ alumni network that opens doors—and a career services team that starts prepping students freshman year. For Midwesterners who want big-school outcomes with small-town support, ONU delivers.