Ohio Northern University combines exceptional return performance at the 96.8th percentile with strong earnings outcomes ranking in the 94.0th percentile nationally. As a Selective Achiever institution, the university delivers $17,862 more in annual earnings than peer institutions while maintaining manageable debt-to-earnings ratios despite higher borrowing levels.
With top-tier performance, reflecting strong earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, driven by higher net costs and debt levels relative to peers
With modestly below average results, indicating limited enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With modestly below average outcomes, reflecting the institution's Selective Achiever profile
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisOhio Northern University delivers exceptional earnings outcomes with median graduates earning $80,928 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 94.0th percentile nationally. Graduates earn $3,169 beyond expectations compared to similar students, placing the institution at the 67.9th percentile for earnings uplift.
Earnings span from $51,102 at the 25th percentile to $123,378 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.4:1 ratio that reflects varied career paths across disciplines. Low-income graduates earn $62,100, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking strong post-graduation earnings in engineering, nursing, and business programs at a mid-sized private university with selective admission standards. Well-suited for academically prepared students who prioritize career outcomes over affordability, as Ohio Northern delivers exceptional return on investment despite higher costs and debt levels.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Ohio Northern University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/ohio-northern-university/analysis.
Top-tier return on investment performance
Ohio Northern University ranks #433 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with return performance at the 96.8th percentile placing it in the top-tier performance category. Located in Ada, Ohio, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 73.4% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
Ohio Northern University enrolls 19.0% Pell-eligible students and 23.6% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achiever institution that serves fewer low-income students while producing strong outcomes. Graduates earn $3,169 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 67.9th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $80,928 ten years after enrollment, placing Ohio Northern University in the 94.0th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. This combination of selective admission standards, limited low-income access, and exceptional earnings performance characterizes the Selective Achiever quadrant, where strong outcomes coexist with more privileged student populations.
Ohio Northern University admits approximately 73.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Ohio Northern University in the Moderately Selective category, indicating accessible admission for students with solid academic preparation.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% shows that Ohio Northern University admits students at rates slightly higher than similar institutions, making it somewhat more accessible within its peer group. This level of selectivity means that students with above-average academic credentials face favorable admission odds, though strong academic performance remains important for acceptance.
The university's moderately selective profile suggests a balance between academic standards and accessibility, making it attainable for students with solid high school records and standardized test scores. Students considering Ohio Northern University should view it as a match or safety school if their academic profile aligns with admitted student characteristics.
Building a balanced college list should include institutions with both higher and lower admission rates to ensure comprehensive options during the application process.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Ohio Northern University's published cost of attendance is $52,484 per year, including $37,800 in tuition, $13,200 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $25,727 after financial aid, representing $26,757 in savings from the sticker price.
This net price sits slightly above the peer median of $27,143, making Ohio Northern University modestly more expensive than similar private institutions. The gap between sticker price and net cost demonstrates substantial financial aid distribution, with the university providing significant support to reduce published costs.
Net prices vary considerably by family income, ranging from $20,389 for families earning under $30,000 to $29,022 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive structure indicates that financial aid concentrates on lower-income families while higher-earning families pay closer to full price.
Families should expect net costs above typical private university levels, though substantial aid helps offset the high sticker price. The institution's cost structure reflects premium pricing with meaningful financial aid support.
Ohio Northern University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $62,686 six years after enrollment to $69,461 at eight years and $80,928 at ten years, representing 29.1% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 923 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
Graduates earn $3,169 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Ohio Northern University at the 67.9th percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $62,100, demonstrating the institution's ability to deliver strong outcomes across socioeconomic backgrounds.
Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with outcomes ranging from $51,102 at the 25th percentile to $123,378 at the 75th percentile. Compared to a peer median of $63,066, Ohio Northern University graduates earn $17,862 more annually, representing a 28.3% premium.
Approximately 32.0% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Centre College Similar quality tier (#443 ranked) | KY | 54% | $66,240 | #443 | Compare |
University Of La Verne Similar quality tier (#419 ranked) | CA | 48% | $65,464 | #419 | Compare |
University Of Mount Saint Vincent Similar quality tier (#418 ranked) | NY | 85% | $65,756 | #418 | Compare |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Similar quality tier (#444 ranked) | MA | 59% | $103,470 | #444 | Compare |
Colby College Similar quality tier (#445 ranked) | ME | 7% | $80,490 | #445 | Compare |
Civil Engineering, General.
24 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
41 graduates
Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician.
9 graduates
Computer Science.
8 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
5 graduates
Ohio Northern University offers 6 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis. Civil Engineering ranks #68 nationally and #2 in Ohio, producing 24 graduates with median earnings of $77,619 and a value score of 59.1.
Mechanical Engineering graduates 41 students with median earnings of $75,513, ranking #203 nationally and #4 in Ohio. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #251 nationally and #5 in Ohio, graduating 29 students with median earnings of $67,898.
Accounting Technology ranks #114 nationally and #3 in Ohio, producing 28 graduates earning $67,763 with a strong value score of 58.9. All six programs with earnings data are designated as top majors at the school, indicating concentrated strength across Ohio Northern University's core academic offerings.
The institution's focused program portfolio emphasizes career-oriented disciplines in engineering, nursing, business, and health sciences.
