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The 50 Most Influential Colleges in Ohio & the Greater Columbus Metro Area

Ohio’s story is told by its trailblazers.

From the pioneers who first braved the harsh realities of the unknown to the paradigm-shifting academics who shaped their field, Ohio’s story is filled with influential figures.

And today many of the state’s universities offer students the chance to study under esteemed faculty who carry forward the state’s tradition of trailblazing innovation. In this article, we will explore Ohio’s most prominent and influential colleges and universities.

While the vigor and expertise of faculty contribute largely to a university’s influence, the school’s network, funding, and available resources also contribute.

Our Legacy of Ohio Colleges & Universities

Three presidents (Hayes, Harrison, and Harding), notable actors, legendary sports heroes, and numerous men and women of science, including Nobel Prize laureates—colleges and universities in Ohio continue to impact the world through their faculty and alumni.

The Ohio Secretary of State’s office lists more than 110 not-for-profit public universities, private colleges, and community colleges that have their main campus in Ohio. In addition, many for-profit schools operate in the state.

Each provides academic programs to the Buckeye State that benefit our citizens, nation, and the world.

Other facts showing how colleges and universities in Ohio excel:

  • Ohio University, founded in 1804, was the first college in the Northwest Territory and first state university located in Ohio.
  • Oberlin College, founded in 1833, was both the first coeducational and first racially integrated college in the United States
  • According to 2021 figures, Ohio colleges and universities gain more students than the state loses resident students to schools out of state (a net import of 11,389 students), the fourth highest total in the nation
  • Fall enrollment figures at Ohio’s public, private, and community colleges are nearing 650,000 students—more than the population of the state of Wyoming—as of the last official headcount in 2018.
  • Ohio is an overachiever in higher education, ranking #7 in population among all states but #6 in number of institutions of higher learning.

The history of higher education institutions in Ohio

Higher education in Ohio began in April 1797, when citizens in the town of Marietta laid the groundwork for Muskingum Academy. Its official recognition as a college, Muskingum University, came in 1835.

Just after the founding of the state, Ohio University was charted in 1804, opening five years later. Miami University, chartered in 1809, officially opened in 1824, kicking off a boom in Ohio public institutions and private colleges throughout the 19th century.

Even in the past 50 years, Ohio public universities have continued to grow, with Shawnee State University opening in 1986.

Why Ohioans Should Consider an Ohio University or College

One of the benefits of living in Ohio is access to the many fine schools in the state. Residents pay taxes that fund public institutions, which afford them deep discounts on in-state tuition costs. Some of Ohio’s private colleges may also offer discounts to residents.

Attending an in-state university or college creates other advantages, such as saving on room & board by commuting or taking classes online. Staying in Ohio also keeps students close to family for support, in contact with local friends, and provides familiar neighborhoods with favorite haunts.

Ohio colleges and universities typically prioritize residents of the state for admission. Scholarships may be tied to living in-state.

And for those students who grew up rooting for an Ohio college and university sport team, staying in-state maintains direct ties to a favorite program. Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye.

The influence of Ohio Research Universities and Leading Ohio Job Sectors

Schools deemed research universities occupy many of the top rankings among the best colleges in Ohio.

These schools focus on addressing needs within government and private sector industries.

Among the leading job sectors in Ohio:

Aerospace & Defense

Ohio has always led in aerospace, starting with the famed Wright Brothers and Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton to the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, and Kent State University are leaders in meeting the needs of this sector.

Agriculture

With one Ohioan out of eight employed in agriculture, this sector accounts for $124 billion of the state GDP.

With over 75,000 farms in the state, comprising Amish homesteads to industrial farm complexes, Ohio is an agriculture juggernaut. Ohio State University dominates in this sector.

Biotechnology & Healthcare

Biotech in Ohio ranks fourth in the country and #1 in the Midwest. Healthcare is a 140 billion dollar sector that generates 15% of Ohio’s economic output.

Schools such as Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, and Cleveland State University have strong ties to this sector.

Education

Ohio has always had a dynamic education sector, not only with its many public schools, but its strong higher education system.

Case Western Reserve University, Oberlin College, Ashland University, University of Cincinnati, Denison University, and Miami University all excel in providing research and employees this sector.

Insurance & Financial

Ohio is a powerhouse in this sector, with five insurance companies among the Fortune 500 and employment in the sector maintaining a consisting growth around 10%.

Influential Ohio colleges in this field include Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Miami University, University of Cincinnati, and John Carroll University.

Iron & Steel

The largest foundry in the United States is in Columbus, and Ohio ranks #2 among states in the U.S. for steel production, accounting for up to 17% of raw steel nationwide.

Schools in Ohio with strong industrial engineering and metallurgy programs include Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio University, and Miami University.

Columbus: Ohio’s Capital and its Influence on Higher Education

After achieving statehood in 1803, the number of colleges and universities in Ohio saw greater growth moving from the first colleges in the south of the state to more schools appearing in northern Ohio.

With its central location in the state, the Greater Columbus area began to see a concentration of schools that were able to pull students from around Ohio.

Several universities within an hour of the Columbus area rank among the most influential colleges and universities in Ohio including:

  • Ohio State University (#1)
  • Denison University (#11)
  • Kenyon College (#12)
  • Ohio Wesleyan University (#18)
  • Wilberforce University (#28)
  • Franklin University (#30)
  • Capital University (#31)
  • Central State University (#32)
  • Pontifical College Josephinum (#44)
  • Otterbein University (#45)
  • Antioch University (#49)

Ohio State University

Ohio State University, founded in 1870, became a central draw for students among state universities.

With an enrollment of 67,772, Ohio State is one of the largest higher education institutions in the United States.

As a public research university, it ranks #15 in the nation’s research expenditures and #5 among all U.S. universities for industry-sponsored research.

Influential people associated with Ohio State University include Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Florey, Goosebumps author R.L. Stine, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Diana Sugg, Olympic great Jesse Owens, and former Ohio governor John Kasich.

Denison University and Kenyon College

Denison University east of Columbus in Granville and Kenyon College in Gambier are considered not only among the best colleges in Ohio but are also among the best private institutions in the country.

Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court William Rehnquist, actor Steve Carell, and former Disney CEO Michael Eisner are notables from Denison.

Kenyon’s influential alumni include “Calvin and Hobbes” creator Bill Watterson, actor Paul Newman, and author E.L. Doctorow.

Wilberforce University and Central State University

Both Wilberforce University and Central State University are among the nation’s notable Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Wilberforce has the double distinction of not only being the oldest HBCU to keep its original name, but it was the first college to be entirely owned and operated by Black Americans.

How we measured which Ohio colleges & universities are most influential

AcademicInfluence.com is a tool that provides influence tracking through its proprietary InfluenceRanking Engine—innovative machine-learning technology developed for DARPA.

This measures the influence of students, faculty, and alumni associated with their colleges and universities.

By analyzing massive data sources such as Wikipedia, Crossref, Semantic Scholar, and Wikidata, the InfluenceRanking Engine creates a numeric score of the impact people associated with schools have within their academic disciplines to create objective and fair rankings of the best colleges and universities.

Examining Ohio’s impact on higher learning through the InfluenceRanking Engine reveals these 50 institutions to be the top Ohio universities and colleges with rich histories of developing influential scholars and thought leaders.

For more program rankings for Ohio, consider this collection of Academic Influence’s offerings.

Ranking of the most influential colleges & universities in Ohio

  1. Ohio State University — Public research university in Columbus (Founded in 1870)
    Global Influence Rank – #83
    United States Influence Rank – #30
    Ohio State University is one of the state’s most popular choices for students at the undergraduate level and it’s also Ohio’s most influential university.
    Students at the University will join one of country’s largest student bodies. And they will learn from influential and invested faculty who have dedicated their lives to higher learning and who work at the forefront of their specialty.
  2. Case Western Reserve University — Private research university in Cleveland (1826)
    Global Influence Rank – #166
    United States Influence Rank – #56
    Case Western Reserve offers a beautiful campus of more than 260 acres and relatively small student body. Total undergraduate enrollment came in under 6,000 in the fall of 2021 with a student body representing 90 countries from around the world.
    Prospective students can explore the 7 schools and 1 college that offer a variety of popular degree programs. helmed by esteemed faculty.
  3. University of Cincinnati — Public research university in Cincinnati (1819)
    Global Influence Rank – #253
    United States Influence Rank – #87
    The University of Cincinnati (UC) comes in as the third most influential university in Ohio. Servicing a student body of more than 46,000 students, UC has earned a recognition for it’s career-focused degree programs and internship opportunities.
    Prospective students will be able to select from an impressive array of programs consisting of 414 degrees and 262 minors and certificates.
  4. Oberlin College — Private liberal arts college in Oberlin (1833)
    Global Influence Rank – #221
    United States Influence Rank – #77
  5. Miami University — Public research university in Oxford (1809)
    Global Influence Rank – #465
    United States Influence Rank – #145
  6. University of Akron — Public research university located in Akron (1870)
    Global Influence Rank – #683
    United States Influence Rank – #206
  7. Ohio University — Public research university in Athens (1804)
    Global Influence Rank – #585
    United States Influence Rank – #173
  8. Kent State University — Public research university in Kent (1910)
    Global Influence Rank – #664
    United States Influence Rank – #196
  9. Bowling Green State University — Public university in Bowling Green (1910)
    Global Influence Rank – #788
    United States Influence Rank – #234
  10. Cleveland State University — Public research university in Cleveland (1964)
    Global Influence Rank – #806
    United States Influence Rank – #241
  11. Denison University — Private liberal arts college in Granville (1831)
    Global Influence Rank – #694
    United States Influence Rank – #209
  12. Kenyon College — Private liberal arts college in Gambier (1824)
    Global Influence Rank – #678
    United States Influence Rank – #204
  13. University of Dayton — Private research university in Dayton (1850)
    Global Influence Rank – #923
    United States Influence Rank – #275
  14. University of Toledo — Public research university in Toledo (1872)
    Global Influence Rank – #941
    United States Influence Rank – #278
  15. Ashland University — Private research university in Ashland (1878)
    Global Influence Rank – #1213
    United States Influence Rank – #363
  16. Wright State University — Public research university in Dayton (1967)
    Global Influence Rank – #1308
    United States Influence Rank – #390
  17. John Carroll University — Private, Jesuit university in University Heights (1886)
    Global Influence Rank – #1380
    United States Influence Rank – #408
  18. Ohio Wesleyan University — Private liberal arts university in Delaware (1842)
    Global Influence Rank – #809
    United States Influence Rank – #242
  19. Xavier University — Private, Jesuit university in Cincinnati (1831)
    Global Influence Rank – #1598
    United States Influence Rank – #467
  20. Youngstown State University — Public research university in Youngstown (1908)
    Global Influence Rank – #1780
    United States Influence Rank – #520
  21. Wittenberg University — Private, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-affiliated, liberal arts university in Springfield (1845)
    Global Influence Rank – #1600
    United States Influence Rank – #468
  22. College of Wooster — Private liberal arts college in Wooster (1866)
    Global Influence Rank – #1255
    United States Influence Rank – #376
  23. Ohio Northern University — Private, United Methodist Church-affiliated university in Ada (1871)
    Global Influence Rank – #1727
    United States Influence Rank – #504
  24. University of Mount Union — Private liberal arts university in Alliance (1846)
    Global Influence Rank – #2455
    United States Influence Rank – #696
  25. Tiffin University — Private university in Tiffin (1888)
    Global Influence Rank – #1767
    United States Influence Rank – #515
  26. Franciscan University of Steubenville — Private, Catholic university in Steubenville (1946)
    Global Influence Rank – #3140
    United States Influence Rank – #881
  27. Cedarville University — Private, Baptist-affiliated university in Cedarville (1887)
    Global Influence Rank – #3997
    United States Influence Rank – #1114
  28. Wilberforce University — Private, African Methodist Episcopal Church- affiliated, historically Black university in Wilberforce (1856)
    Global Influence Rank – #1202
    United States Influence Rank – #360
  29. Marietta College — Private liberal arts college in Marietta (1835)
    Global Influence Rank – #1947
    United States Influence Rank – #567
  30. Franklin University — Private university in Columbus (1902)
    Global Influence Rank – #2971
    United States Influence Rank – #843
  31. Capital University — Private, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-affiliated, university in Bexley (1830)
    Global Influence Rank – #3464
    United States Influence Rank – #968
  32. Central State University — Public, historically Black university in Wilberforce (1837)
    Global Influence Rank – #2189
    United States Influence Rank – #626
  33. Union Institute & University — Private research university in Cincinnati (1964)
    Global Influence Rank – #3085
    United States Influence Rank – #873
  34. Northeast Ohio Medical University — Public health sciences university in Rootstown (1973)
    Global Influence Rank – #3659
    United States Influence Rank – #1016
  35. Hiram College — Private liberal arts college in Hiram (1850)
    Global Influence Rank – #2098
    United States Influence Rank – #605
  36. Cuyahoga Community College — Public community college in Cleveland (1963)
    Global Influence Rank – #4778
    United States Influence Rank – #1330
  37. Walsh University — Private, Catholic university in North Canton (1958)
    Global Influence Rank – #4282
    United States Influence Rank – #1175
  38. Malone University — Private, Evangelical Friends Church-affiliated college in Canton (1957)
    Global Influence Rank – #5081
    United States Influence Rank – #1404
  39. Muskingum University — Private, Presbyterian Church (USA)-affiliated, liberal arts college in New Concord (1837)
    Global Influence Rank – #3308
    United States Influence Rank – #924
  40. Notre Dame College — Private, Catholic liberal arts college in South Euclid (1922)
    Global Influence Rank – #4706
    United States Influence Rank – #1306
  41. Lake Erie College — Private liberal arts college in Painesville (1856)
    Global Influence Rank – #3645
    United States Influence Rank – #1012
  42. Shawnee State University — Public university in Portsmouth (1986)
    Global Influence Rank – #4389
    United States Influence Rank – #1202
  43. Cleveland Institute of Music — Private music conservatory in Cleveland (1920)
    Global Influence Rank – #4894
    United States Influence Rank – #1356
  44. Pontifical College Josephinum — Private, Catholic liberal arts college in Columbus (1888)
    Global Influence Rank – #3939
    United States Influence Rank – #1097
  45. Otterbein University — Private, United Methodist Church-affiliated university in Westerville (1847)
    Global Influence Rank – #3444
    United States Influence Rank – #966
  46. Baldwin Wallace University — Private university in Berea (1845)
    Global Influence Rank – #3481
    United States Influence Rank – #974
  47. University of Findlay — Private, Churches of God-affiliated university in Findlay (1882)
    Global Influence Rank – #4428
    United States Influence Rank – #1213
  48. Sinclair Community College — Public community college in Dayton (1887)
    Global Influence Rank – #6475
    United States Influence Rank – #1764
  49. Antioch University — Private university in Yellow Springs (1852)
    Global Influence Rank – #4931
    United States Influence Rank – #1366
  50. Ursuline College — Private, Catholic liberal arts college in Pepper Pike (1871)
    Global Influence Rank – #5737
    United States Influence Rank – #1566

The Future of Higher Education in Ohio

Education continues to flex with the times, and Ohio schools are making the most of technological innovations in learning.

With a history of commitment to education and plenty of Ohio’s best colleges continuing to produce graduates committed to education in Ohio, the future looks bright.

In addition, Ohio continues to grow as a home for technological innovation.

A growing technology sector in Ohio

Intel’s pledge to build two of the largest chip-manufacturing plants in the world in Ohio will certainly benefit the state and increase demand for engineers, computer scientists, and skilled businesspeople who understand the needs of this sector.

Ohio’s best colleges will not only supply many of these workers but will benefit from research grants and cooperation with high-tech companies.

Ohio stays on top of educational trends

Many of the leading colleges in Ohio added online distance learning opportunities, bringing higher education to more of Ohio’s citizens—as well as to those outside the state who wish to take advantage of the rich legacy of the best colleges in Ohio.