Affordable Degrees
/
Top 9 Cheapest Colleges in Ohio (2025)

Top 9 Cheapest Colleges in Ohio (2025)

Check out the cheapest colleges in Ohio today! Learn about how to save money while making the most of your higher education and improving your future prospects.

Making enough time for college is hard enough these days, but it's even harder to make enough money for it. Adults considering going back to college are always thinking about the cost first and foremost - with good reason.

Luckily, we've been able to find some of the cheapest colleges in Ohio that offer online degrees for interested students who want to save money just as much as they want a quality education.

List of Cheap Colleges in Ohio

Below you'll find the most affordable colleges in Ohio that offer online bachelor's programs to students in and outside of the state.

1. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati (UC) is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio that has 14 constituent colleges and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

While most of the programs that UC offers online are master's degree programs, one of the online bachelor's programs it offers is an RN to BSN degree for nurses who want to increase their opportunities and earnings by getting a degree.

Depending on the campus the online courses for your program are offered from, a semester at UC can cost either $3,500, $3,700, or $6,700 in tuition.

2. Shawnee State University

Shawnee State University (SSU) is a public university in Portsmouth, Ohio, that's part of the University System of Ohio and has an open admissions policy.

SSU offers these online bachelor's programs:

Ohio residents can attend classes online for $299 per credit hour, but out-of-state online students will have to pay $330 per credit hour in tuition.

3. Ohio University

Ohio University is the oldest public research university in the state of Ohio. It has nine undergraduate colleges that offer more than 250 areas of study in person and online.

Students can complete a bachelor's program online at Ohio University in these subjects:

Students at Ohio University who are also residents of the state will only pay $307 per credit hour in tuition, while students who aren't residents will be charged an additional $5 per credit hour.

4. The University of Toledo

The University of Toledo (UT) is a public research university that's part of the University System of Ohio and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Whether you want to earn a degree in early childhood education, criminal justice, marketing, nursing, or accounting, UT can help students achieve the degree and career they desire online. All undergraduate students at UT have a tuition rate of $355 per credit hour for online courses.

5. Franklin University

Franklin University is an online university in Ohio that provides full and degree completion bachelor's programs to working individuals across the United States.

Franklin University offers some of the most popular degree programs in the U.S., including degrees in subjects like:

Tuition for undergraduate programs at Franklin University is $398 per credit hour, though eligible military service members and nursing students can pay a tuition that's reduced by as much as $100 per credit hour.

6. The University of Akron

The University of Akron (UA) is a STEM-focused public research university in Akron, Ohio, that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in person and online to students across the U.S.

Bachelor's degrees in business management, nursing, sociology, and communications are offered online by UA for any students who want to enhance their careers or start new ones in related fields.

Ohio residents can attend bachelor's program classes online for $400 per credit hour, while residents of other states have a tuition rate of $538 per credit hour.

7. Ohio Christian University

Ohio Christian University (OCU) is a private Christian university in Ohio that's affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union.

OCU offers nearly 20 bachelor's degrees online, including programs in data analytics, human services, political science, and accounting, and degrees in business that have nine different concentrations available.

Students who are part of OCU's online programs have to pay $425 per credit hour in tuition.

8. Tiffin University

Tiffin University is a private university in Tiffin, Ohio, that's accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers undergraduate degrees online to students in and out of the state.

Tiffin University has four different bachelor's program options for students who want to earn their degree online. Students can choose from a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), or Bachelor of Criminal Justice program to pursue their education.

Online students at Tiffin University will have a tuition rate of $480 per credit hour for undergraduate courses.

9. Ohio State University

Ohio State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, that was originally known for providing agricultural and mechanical programs.

Undergraduate degrees offered online by OSU include:

Students at OSU spend $5,000 on average per semester for online classes if they're residents of the state of Ohio.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost?

Based on the affordable online colleges in Ohio listed above and assuming that it takes four years to complete a bachelor's program, a full college degree in the state costs between $28,000 and $46,000 total.

How To Make College Affordable

No matter how low the cost of the cheapest colleges in Ohio is, there are always more ways to save and make college education more affordable.

Start at Community College

One way to make college more affordable is to complete any general education or prerequisite courses at a local community college. Community colleges offer education at a more affordable price than universities, and you can then transfer your credits to the university of your choice.

Take Online Classes

As proven by the cheapest colleges in Ohio above, online courses are often less expensive than the classes on campus due to associated in-person fees.

By taking online classes during college, you can save more money while still getting a high-quality education from the university of your choice.

Live Off-Campus

Just like attending classes online, living off-campus during college can save you a lot in additional fees. Students who live on campus have increased housing prices and need to pay for meal plans, while students living off-campus can live at home or in a shared apartment to reduce living costs while attending classes.

Fill Out the FAFSA

The most important thing to do, regardless of what other money-saving methods you use, is fill out the FAFSA.

The FAFSA gives students access to scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, and federal loans that can help them pay for college with the least amount of debt to pay back. It's the first place you should look for help in paying for college and making it more affordable to earn your degree.

Do Cheap Colleges in Ohio Offer High-Quality Education?

We pride ourselves on giving you access to only the best, most high-quality accredited colleges and universities in the United States. That means you're still getting the best possible education from the cheapest colleges in Ohio.

In-State Vs. Out-of-State Tuition Rates

While some universities, such as Franklin University, charge the same tuition regardless of residency, many colleges have different tuition rates based on whether you're a resident of the state.

For most colleges, out-of-state tuition rates will be more than in-state tuition rates. Keep this in mind when choosing the college you want to attend, even if you plan to attend online.

Find an Affordable College in Ohio Today

Now that you know about the cheapest colleges in Ohio, how much a bachelor's degree would cost in the state, and ways to make college more affordable, it's time for you to choose the cost-saving college you want to attend today so that you can finish your degree and start your dream career tomorrow.

You might also like...

Related
Popular