True
True North
We're #1
ONU is the #1 college in the Midwest in the new 2026 U.S. News and World Report rankings. On the publication’s 2026 Best Regional Colleges Midwest list, ONU is ranked #1 overall. We also ranked #1 in Best Value Schools and #1 for Best College for Veterans in the ratings.
And The Wall Street Journal ranks ONU as the #1 school in Ohio for value and salary impact in its 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S.
Read more on our U.S. News Rankings and Wall Street Journal Rankings.
Point your compass toward your dream
Adventure Awaits. Discovery Awaits. Your future awaits at Ohio Northern University –
the place to find True North!
ONU leads in student engagement – internships, research, jobs and grad school.
Graduates enjoy superior outcomes when it comes to success and satisfaction. You can land a dream job, attend first-rate graduate schools, command excellent salaries and become entrepreneurs and leaders. A national student engagement survey shows that ONU students exceed the national average of senior students who participated in high-impact practices (HIP): learning communities, service-learning, research with faculty, internship or field experiences, study abroad, and culminating senior experiences.
Learn About Distinctly ONU
By the numbers
There are lots of things we want you to know about Ohio Northern, but here are a few to get you started.
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13:1 Student-faculty ratio
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21 Average class size
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95% Of 2025 graduates reported having a job or entered graduate school within 6 months of graduation
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$32,500 Average financial aid award
News
Harvard Medical School professor and ONU alumna Dr. Carla Kim to deliver 2026 Keiser Lecture
Renowned lung stem cell researcher returns to campus to discuss breakthroughs in cancer therapy.
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Bridging culture through kilns
ONU art professor Luke Sheets is on a global quest for ceramic exchange.
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Designing an “Ideal City”
Art professor’s research trip to Italy inspires a creative class project.
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ONU’s Class of 2025 achieves remarkable placement rate
95% placement validates ONU’s outstanding return on investment.
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Leading with heart: ONU alumnus shares how Dr. King’s legacy has impacted his life
Brian Jemison, BA ’03, delivered remarks at MLK chapel service.
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Apr.
16
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
by Dave Malloy An electropop opera based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace…
Read More- Mar.25
English Reading Series featuring Leah Umansky and Virginia Konchan
The spring 2026 English Reading Series will…
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Frequently Asked Questions
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ONU offers a personalized, high-impact learning experience. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes (around 21 students), you’ll build strong relationships with professors and gain hands-on experience early.
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ONU offers 50+ programs across five colleges. These include fields like engineering, business, pharmacy, law, and the arts and sciences—giving you flexibility to explore your interests and career goals.
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Graduates see strong career results. About 95% of students are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation, showing a strong return on investment.
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ONU is more affordable than many families expect. The average financial aid award is around $32,500, and many students receive scholarships and need-based aid to reduce costs.
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ONU offers a close-knit, supportive campus community. Located in a small town, the university emphasizes student involvement, leadership opportunities, and strong connections with peers and faculty.
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ONU is consistently ranked among the top colleges in the Midwest. It has been recognized for best value, strong salary outcomes, and overall academic quality, helping students feel confident in their investment.
