SMALL UNIVERSITY, HUGE IMPACT.
ONU has a rich history of academic excellence, and we’re always evolving to meet society’s ever-changing needs. We’ve most recently been recognized for teaching quality, high graduation rates, commitment to volunteer service and providing a high return on investment for our graduates.
ONU AT A GLANCE
The University is made up of five colleges, each preparing you to take on whatever challenges you see in the world.
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3,140 Students representing 50 states and 15 countries
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21 Average class size, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1
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588 Faculty and staff members
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33,421 Alumni from 50 states and 69 countries
Welcome to clear skies, open spaces and fresh ideas
Ohio Northern University is set in the rural village of Ada. It’s a small town, but we still do plenty of big things. And ONU is at the center of it all. Without the distractions of a big city, we hone in on exploring what excites us, solving what puzzles us and building strong relationships with our community.-
Ohio Northern’s ambitious, pioneering attitude has been alive since the very beginning. The school started with a single person and a single idea. With the help of the community, Henry Solomon Lehr founded the Northwestern Ohio Normal School in 1871. When the college’s curriculum grew to include pharmacy, engineering, law and business programs, its name was changed to Ohio Normal University and, eventually, in 1903, Ohio Northern University.
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In 1899, the University affiliated with the United Methodist Church and more intentionally embraced church-related values. From these beginnings, Ohio Northern University has developed a focus on teaching, learning, scholarship, professional practice and a campus environment that’s centered on students, service and values.
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With top-ranked programs and opportunities outside the classroom, any path you choose at Ohio Northern will be grounded in concrete applications for the future. But the best part is that you never really have to choose. Our campus is an open frontier where engineers can be artists and artists can be entrepreneurs. At ONU, we embrace the overlap in every field.
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Our values at ONU have been influenced by a unique history and an enduring affiliation with the United Methodist Church. We’re inspired by the higher values of truth, beauty and goodness. Above all, our mission is to prepare students for success in their careers and service to their communities, the nation and the world. Students at ONU work closely with faculty so they can learn to think critically, creatively and entrepreneurially. The practical experience gained at ONU, along with creative exploration outside of the classroom, prepares students for a lifetime of personal growth.
ONU Leadership
Recognition of Excellence
ONU continues to be ranked among the best universities for offering an exceptional educational experience. While the criteria differ, the common denominator is the recognition of the value of relevancy of an Ohio Northern degree.
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No. 1 Ranked as the No. 1 Best Value University in the Midwest in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Regional Colleges Midwest
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No. 1 Ranked No. 1 in Ohio for Boosting Graduates' Salaries in the Wall Street Journal's 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.
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No. 1 Ranked No. 1 in Ohio in the Best Value category in the Wall Street Journal's 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.
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No. 1 Ranked by Washington Monthly as No. 1 in Ohio and 22nd in the Midwest on its “Best Bang for the Buck” list.
Here's what others are saying
Ohio Northern University has been lauded as the best in the state, and among the best in the nation, for launching good students into great careers.
College rankings continue to recognize the high-quality and return on investment of an Ohio Northern education, confirming Ohio Northern University’s strong reputation and value:
• Ranked No. 1 in Ohio in the Best Value category in the Wall Street Journal's 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.
• Ranked No. 1 in Ohio for Boosting Graduates' Salaries in the Wall Street Journal's 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.
• Ranked No. 2 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Colleges Midwest list for 2025, making us No. 1 in Ohio.
• Ranked No. 1 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Midwest Best Value Schools.
• U.S. News and World Reports ranks our undergraduate engineering program No. 12 in the nation (non doctorate), and recognizes our electrical engineering program as the 15th best in the country and our civil engineering program as No. 11.
• One of nation’s top schools in The Princeton Review’s annual college guide, The Best 389 Colleges: 2025 Edition.
• Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” recognition “of schools ranked according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices” ranks us No. 1 in Ohio and No. 22 in the Midwest.
• Ranked by career-guidance site Zippia as the most likely college or university in the state of Ohio (and third in the nation) to place its graduates into a job.
• Ranked by Forbes in its 2024 "America's Top Colleges".
The Ohio Northern Promise
The Ohio Northern Promise ensures that higher education, historically a key enabler of social mobility, remains accessible and affordable for bright young students and their families. Our path to Affordable Excellence includes a four-year graduation guarantee*, hands-on high-impact learning as a core component of every academic major, and sustained job placement and graduate and professional school admissions rates for graduates.Students across most undergraduate programs will complete their bachelor’s degrees in four years. This is a campus-wide commitment from the University. ONU guarantees that, as a first-time freshman enrolled in a program designed to be completed in four years, you will graduate in four years. If it takes longer than four years (through no fault of your own), there will be no additional tuition cost for completing your degree.
If you are a first-time freshman, you will receive information about this program before Welcome Weekend so that you can explore the guarantee’s details and guidelines.
Key components:
• A four-year graduation guarantee available across most undergraduate programs
• Hands-on high-impact learning, a core component of every academic major
• Sustained job placement and graduate and professional school admissions rates for graduates
Polar Bear Up Facts
Our scenic campus is located within 90 minutes of several major cities: Dayton, Columbus, Toledo and Ft. Wayne.
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Polar Bears Klondike is our mascot; our school colors are orange and black
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12 Melissa J. Baumann is the 12th president of Ohio Northern
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342 Acres make up our beautiful campus
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25 Athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division III, Ohio Athletic Conference
Frequently Asked Questions
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ONU is a comprehensive university made up of five distinct colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Law. One of our unique advantages is that we embrace the overlap between fields, meaning you don’t have to box yourself into just one passion—engineers can be artists and business majors can be entrepreneurs here.
- Actionable Tip: Explore our Colleges and Programs page to view the full list of majors and find the path that aligns with your career goals.
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We intentionally keep our learning environments small and collaborative. ONU has an average class size of 21 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1. This ensures you aren't just a number in a lecture hall. You will work closely with dedicated faculty who serve as professors, research partners, and lifelong mentors.
- Actionable Tip: Schedule a personal campus visit to sit in on a class and see our close-knit academic community in action.
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Our focus on high-impact, experiential learning pays off. ONU boasts an exceptional 95% job placement rate for graduates entering their careers or professional schools within six months of graduation. From your very first year, you will gain practical, real-world experience outside the classroom that heavily appeals to top employers and graduate programs.
- Actionable Tip: Check out our career services and look up employment data specific to your major of interest to see where our alumni work.
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Our beautiful, safe residential campus spans 342 acres in the welcoming town of Ada, Ohio. It features clear skies, open spaces, and modern facilities. While we enjoy a close-knit, focused community environment, we are also conveniently located within 90 minutes of several major metropolitan cities, including Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo.
- Actionable Tip: Take a look at our interactive campus map online or book an open house tour to explore our academic buildings, residence halls, and athletic facilities.
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Yes, ONU has proudly maintained an enduring historic affiliation with the United Methodist Church since 1899. This relationship influences our core values of truth, beauty, goodness, and service to local and global communities. However, we warmly welcome, respect, and support students of all faiths, backgrounds, and diverse beliefs on our open campus.
- Actionable Tip: Connect with our Office of Chaplaincy during your visit to learn about our diverse student organizations, volunteer opportunities, and spiritual life programs.