NCAA Division III Colleges in Ohio
| # | School | Enrollment | Net Price | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio
|
6,108 | $38,909 | 87.0% | 27.4% |
| 2 |
Ohio Northern University
Ada, Ohio
|
2,386 | $25,727 | 74.2% | 54.4% |
| 3 |
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio
|
1,753 | $29,383 | 86.8% | 34.3% |
| 4 |
Denison University
Granville, Ohio
|
2,398 | $38,111 | 80.1% | 22.0% |
| 5 |
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio
|
2,950 | $39,184 | 79.5% | 34.9% |
| 6 |
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, Ohio
|
2,775 | $23,987 | 77.1% | 66.7% |
| 7 |
John Carroll University
University Heights, Ohio
|
2,228 | $28,617 | 76.5% | 82.4% |
| 8 |
The College of Wooster
Wooster, Ohio
|
1,876 | $25,766 | 73.6% | 56.3% |
| 9 |
Mount St. Joseph University
Cincinnati, Ohio
|
1,100 | $16,135 | 54.7% | 54.4% |
| 10 |
Baldwin Wallace University
Berea, Ohio
|
2,775 | $27,654 | 68.6% | 77.0% |
| 11 |
University of Mount Union
Alliance, Ohio
|
1,785 | $22,539 | 64.9% | 75.8% |
| 12 |
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio
|
2,055 | $22,140 | 68.9% | 83.7% |
| 13 |
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio
|
1,709 | $23,585 | 65.5% | 72.2% |
| 14 |
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, Ohio
|
1,450 | $21,619 | 61.7% | 52.2% |
| 15 |
Hiram College
Hiram, Ohio
|
731 | $20,088 | 59.1% | 93.1% |
| 16 |
Marietta College
Marietta, Ohio
|
1,035 | $18,372 | 58.1% | 82.9% |
| 17 |
Heidelberg University
Tiffin, Ohio
|
884 | $21,662 | 49.8% | 71.4% |
| 18 |
Wilmington College
Wilmington, Ohio
|
924 | $22,872 | 55.1% | 88.1% |
| 19 |
Muskingum University
New Concord, Ohio
|
1,407 | $20,204 | 52.7% | 86.4% |
| 20 |
Defiance College
Defiance, Ohio
|
454 | $23,722 | 36.7% | 62.9% |
| 21 |
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio
|
1,269 | $19,470 | 53.8% | 93.9% |
| 22 |
Bluffton University
Bluffton, Ohio
|
595 | $17,430 | 49.5% | 96.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Case Western Reserve University unique among Ohio Division III schools?
Case Western leads with $87,989 average graduate earnings and an 87.0% graduation rate while maintaining selectivity at 27.4% acceptance. The Cleveland research university connects directly to Ohio's healthcare and technology sectors, with strong ties to Cleveland Clinic and regional medical institutions that drive the state's economy.
How much do Ohio Division III colleges typically cost students?
Net prices range from $16,135 at Mount St. Joseph University to $39,184 at Oberlin College. Most schools fall between $20,000-$30,000 annually. Ohio College Opportunity Grant programs help reduce costs, making these institutions more accessible than many out-of-state alternatives while providing quality education.
Is there a connection between acceptance rates and graduate success at these schools?
Schools with lower acceptance rates generally show higher earnings and graduation rates. Denison accepts 22.0% of applicants and graduates earn $67,753, while Hiram accepts 93.1% with graduates earning $54,311. However, several moderately selective schools like Ohio Northern achieve strong $80,928 graduate earnings with 54.4% acceptance.
Where do graduates from these colleges typically find employment in Ohio?
Ohio's healthcare systems like Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center hire many graduates, while manufacturing companies including Honda provide opportunities in engineering and business. The state's growing technology sector in Columbus and Cleveland creates demand for computer science and analytics graduates from these institutions.
What size schools dominate Ohio's Division III market?
Most Ohio Division III schools enroll between 1,000-3,000 students, with the smallest being Hiram at 731 students and largest being Case Western at 6,108. This mid-size range allows for close faculty relationships while maintaining sufficient resources and campus activities for student engagement.
How do graduation rates vary across Ohio Division III institutions?
Graduation rates span from 36.7% to 87.0%, with elite institutions like Case Western and Kenyon achieving rates above 85%. Mid-tier schools typically graduate 60-75% of students, while open-access institutions show lower completion rates. Financial aid availability and academic support programs significantly influence these outcomes.
See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.