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$6,178Tuition
461Students
19%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$52,581Earnings
Public4-yearData: 2023-24

About Ohio University-Southern Campus

Ohio University-Southern Campus serves as a bridge to higher education in southeastern Ohio's Appalachian region. This regional campus offers associate degrees and select bachelor's programs to 461 students in the midsize suburb of Ironton. The campus focuses on providing accessible pathways to four-year degrees while keeping students close to home in a tight-knit academic environment.

The financial picture tells a story of affordability with mixed outcomes. Students pay an average net price of $5,328 after aid, making this one of the more budget-friendly options in Ohio. Low-income families pay just $2,860 net price, while even higher-income families rarely pay more than $8,697. Graduates earn a median of $52,581 ten years after starting, though only 19.30% complete their degree within six years. Students typically graduate with $21,056 in debt and monthly loan payments of $223.

The student body leans heavily female at 66.81% and draws primarily from Ohio with 80.20% in-state enrollment. With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small and personal. The 62.62% retention rate suggests many students transfer to complete degrees elsewhere, which aligns with the campus's role as a regional stepping stone within the Ohio University system.

Academics & Faculty

Ohio University-Southern serves as a regional campus offering associate degrees and select bachelor's programs to southeastern Ohio. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides personalized attention in small classes typical of branch campuses. Students can complete their first two years here before transferring to the main Athens campus or other four-year institutions. The 20% four-year graduation rate reflects the campus's role as a stepping stone rather than a traditional four-year destination. Many students pursue career-focused programs in business, education, and health sciences. The campus operates on a semester system with 461 students, creating an intimate learning environment. Academic support services help students navigate transfer pathways and career preparation in this close-knit educational setting.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
13:1
Full-Time Faculty
48.3%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
20.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
19.3%
Retention Rate
62.6%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$52,581

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $50,970
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Associate $36,852
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Associate $30,771
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $24,615

View all 111 programs →

Campus Life

With just 461 students, Ohio University-Southern creates an intimate campus atmosphere where everyone recognizes familiar faces. The Ironton location sits about 120 miles southeast of Columbus, nestled in the Appalachian foothills where students definitely need winter coats for Ohio's cold, snowy winters. Women make up 66.81% of the student body, giving the campus a female-leaning social active.

Most students commute from the surrounding region, as this regional campus lacks traditional residence halls. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name and office hours feel more like personal tutoring sessions. Weekends often involve trips to nearby Huntington, West Virginia, just across the Ohio River, or outdoor activities in the rolling hills that define southeastern Ohio. Students here typically balance work and family responsibilities alongside their studies, with many pursuing practical degrees in nursing, business, and education that serve the local community's needs.
Setting
Suburb-Midsize
Calendar System
Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg
22°–39°F
July Avg
64°–84°F
Annual Precipitation
44.1"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Student Demographics

This regional campus draws students primarily from southeastern Ohio and neighboring areas, with four out of five coming from in-state. Women make up two-thirds of the 461 students, reflecting the campus's strength in health sciences, education, and social services programs. The student body is predominantly white at 85%, mirroring the demographics of rural Appalachian Ohio. Many students are first-generation college attendees seeking affordable pathways to four-year degrees. The small size creates tight-knit learning communities where students often balance coursework with family and work obligations in their home communities.
Men
33.2%
Women
66.8%
White
85.5%
Black
2.2%
Hispanic
0.4%
Asian
0.0%
In-State Students
80.2%
Pell Grant Recipients
12.3%

Location

Ohio University-Southern Campus sits in Ironton, a small city along the Ohio River near the Kentucky border. The campus serves southeastern Ohio, roughly 120 miles from Cincinnati and 140 miles from Columbus. This Appalachian region features rolling hills and former coal mining communities that have transitioned toward healthcare and manufacturing. With 80.20% of students coming from in-state, the campus draws heavily from local counties where manufacturing jobs provide median earnings around the state average. The Ohio River provides recreational opportunities, while the rural setting offers a tight-knit community atmosphere. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Ohio University-Southern Campus with similar schools in the region.
Address
Ironton, Ohio 45638

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$52,581
Median Earnings (5 years)
$65,965
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$35,900
Loan Repayment Rate
52.3%
Monthly Loan Payment
$223/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,056

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the enrollment like at Ohio University-Southern Campus?

The campus serves 461 students, making it one of Ohio's smallest regional university campuses. Women make up 66.81% of the student body, and 80.20% of students come from within Ohio, creating a tight-knit community focused on serving southeastern Ohio.

How much does Ohio University-Southern Campus cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $5,328, which is remarkably affordable for a four-year institution. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,860 after aid, while even those from higher-income families rarely pay more than $8,697.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Ohio University-Southern Campus?

The student-faculty ratio is 13:1, providing personalized attention that's typical of smaller regional campuses. As a branch of Ohio University, it offers both associate degrees and select bachelor's programs designed to serve the local workforce needs.

What are the graduation rates at Ohio University-Southern Campus?

The four-year graduation rate is 20.44% and the six-year rate reaches only 19.30%, reflecting the challenges many regional campus students face. However, the employment rate is strong at 97.1%, suggesting students often leave to join the workforce before completing degrees.

Where is Ohio University-Southern Campus located?

The campus is situated in Ironton, Ohio, a midsize suburban community in the southeastern part of the state. This location allows it to serve as an accessible higher education option for students in the Ohio River Valley region who might not otherwise attend college.

How much do graduates of Ohio University-Southern Campus earn?

Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $52,581 annually. The median debt load is $21,056 with monthly payments of $223, making the investment relatively manageable for a regional campus serving a largely working-class population.