Overview
Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Ada, Ohio. There are currently 2,402 undergraduates at ONU and the school’s acceptance rate is 54%. The tuition at ONU is $36,730.
ONU is a United Methodist school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the United Methodist faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at ONU to help you make an educated decision.
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,402
Pell Grant 19%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 2%
Undergrad Students Over 25 1%
Percent Male / Female 55% / 45%
Ethnic Diversity at ONU
81% White
7% Unknown
5% Multiracial
3% Black
2% Asian / Pacific Islander
1% International / Non-Citizen
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
13:1
Graduation Rate
72%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Engineering
27%
27% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
17%
17% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
11%
11% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
5%
5% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
5%
5% of graduates
Education
5%
5% of graduates
Engineering
4%
4% of graduates
Psychology
4%
4% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Social Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
1%
1% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$53,163
$26,744
$26,419
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$53,163for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at ONU is $53,163. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at ONU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at ONU
If you're an Ohio resident considering ONU, be sure to look into state grants like the Ohio College Opportunity Grant and Choose Ohio First. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is a need-based grant for students with high demonstrated financial need. You can use it at both private and public schools, and the award varies based on need and academic program. The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is available to Ohio students pursuing a STEM degree in-state.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Ohio scholarshipsOhio Northern University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Ohio Northern University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Ohio Northern University is 003089.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Midwest Student Tuition Exchange
ONU is in a state that participates in the Midwest Student Exchange. That means that if you are a resident of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, you may qualify for discounted tuition at ONU. This program applies to both private and public institutions, although the discount at private institutions is lower. Check their website for more information on eligibility and what your discount would be.
Pell Grants at Ohio Northern University
23% of students at Ohio Northern University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Ohio Northern University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
ONU students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
54%
25
1175 is the median SAT score and 25 is the median ACT score for admitted students at ONU. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Coalition Colleges
ONU is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to ONU via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Is ONU test-optional?
Ohio Northern University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Ohio Northern University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Ohio Northern University receive between a 25 and a 30 on their ACT, or a 1129 and a 1305 on their SAT.
Rolling deadline at ONU
Ohio Northern University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check ONU's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$80,928
Median Debt $27,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $286
Graduation Rate 72%
What is the graduation rate at Ohio Northern University?
72% of students who start at Ohio Northern University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 14% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Ohio Northern University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Ohio Northern University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $80,928. This is $30,537 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at ONU take out in loans?
Graduates of ONU have to take out a median of $27,000 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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