Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Ohio by Acceptance Rate 2026
Denison University leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 17.4%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Ohio colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $5,567
- Top earnings 10y
- $87,989
- Public / Private
- 2 / 23
Denison University
D- Acceptance
- 17.4%
- Net price
- $40,007
- Earnings 10y
- $67,753
- Acceptance
- 17.4%
Kenyon College
D- Acceptance
- 31%
- Net price
- $38,512
- Earnings 10y
- $71,830
- Acceptance
- 31%
Oberlin College
D- Acceptance
- 34.2%
- Net price
- $38,645
- Earnings 10y
- $58,343
- Acceptance
- 34.2%
Art Academy of Cincinnati
D- Acceptance
- 34.5%
- Net price
- $34,253
- Earnings 10y
- $34,368
- Acceptance
- 34.5%
Case Western Reserve University
D- Acceptance
- 36.5%
- Net price
- $41,190
- Earnings 10y
- $87,989
- Acceptance
- 36.5%
Ohio Christian University
D- Acceptance
- 38%
- Net price
- $20,607
- Earnings 10y
- $39,813
- Acceptance
- 38%
Wilberforce University
A+- Acceptance
- 40.5%
- Net price
- $5,567
- Earnings 10y
- $38,298
- Acceptance
- 40.5%
Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science
B- Acceptance
- 45.7%
- Net price
- $19,622
- Earnings 10y
- $66,111
- Acceptance
- 45.7%
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
C- Acceptance
- 45.9%
- Net price
- $24,204
- Earnings 10y
- $63,582
- Acceptance
- 45.9%
Cleveland Institute of Music
D- Acceptance
- 47.3%
- Net price
- $28,226
- Earnings 10y
- $32,641
- Acceptance
- 47.3%
Defiance College
D- Acceptance
- 47.6%
- Net price
- $26,337
- Earnings 10y
- $49,351
- Acceptance
- 47.6%
Ohio Wesleyan University
C- Acceptance
- 55.6%
- Net price
- $20,897
- Earnings 10y
- $55,624
- Acceptance
- 55.6%
Franciscan University of Steubenville
D- Acceptance
- 58.4%
- Net price
- $23,589
- Earnings 10y
- $50,030
- Acceptance
- 58.4%
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
B- Acceptance
- 58.9%
- Net price
- $18,378
- Earnings 10y
- $68,303
- Acceptance
- 58.9%
Mount St. Joseph University
B- Acceptance
- 59.1%
- Net price
- $16,530
- Earnings 10y
- $51,509
- Acceptance
- 59.1%
The College of Wooster
C- Acceptance
- 59.5%
- Net price
- $23,458
- Earnings 10y
- $59,629
- Acceptance
- 59.5%
University of Akron Main Campus
B- Acceptance
- 59.7%
- Net price
- $13,946
- Earnings 10y
- $46,600
- Acceptance
- 59.7%
Ohio State University-Main Campus
B- Acceptance
- 60.6%
- Net price
- $17,339
- Earnings 10y
- $60,409
- Acceptance
- 60.6%
Cleveland Institute of Art
D- Acceptance
- 61.4%
- Net price
- $29,208
- Earnings 10y
- $42,509
- Acceptance
- 61.4%
Cedarville University
C- Acceptance
- 65.3%
- Net price
- $24,468
- Earnings 10y
- $55,443
- Acceptance
- 65.3%
University of Dayton
C- Acceptance
- 65.5%
- Net price
- $29,533
- Earnings 10y
- $75,537
- Acceptance
- 65.5%
Bluffton University
C- Acceptance
- 67.2%
- Net price
- $19,943
- Earnings 10y
- $49,547
- Acceptance
- 67.2%
Columbus College of Art & Design
D- Acceptance
- 67.7%
- Net price
- $29,439
- Earnings 10y
- $40,664
- Acceptance
- 67.7%
Capital University
C- Acceptance
- 70.2%
- Net price
- $22,576
- Earnings 10y
- $54,143
- Acceptance
- 70.2%
Lake Erie College
C- Acceptance
- 70.4%
- Net price
- $20,961
- Earnings 10y
- $50,417
- Acceptance
- 70.4%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Ohio colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 6.20 (2 public, 23 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Denison University in Granville, OH tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 17.4%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Ohio colleges are in this list?
65 Ohio colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.