Ohio Northern University
Ohio Northern University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ohio Northern University at a Glance
Ohio Northern University is a private college in Ada, Ohio, United States. Founded by Henry Solomon Lehr in 1871, ONU offers over 60 programs across five undergraduate and graduate colleges and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college had an enrollment of about 3,000 students as of 2023.
1871
155 years old
$160M
$160.3 million (2019)
3,042
2,592 undergrad · 450 grad
267
Identity
How to Apply to Ohio Northern University
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Is Ohio Northern University Worth It?
Ohio Northern University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $24,478/year, it's priced 20% above average, while graduates go on to earn $80,928 — 50% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 75% graduation rate means roughly 25% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Ohio Northern University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 59 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #3 | Molloy University | 57 | $24,347 | $77,789 |
| #4 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #5 | Clarkson University | 55 | $30,305 | $89,696 |
| #6 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Ohio Northern University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OH.
Best Programs at Ohio Northern University
The highest-earning program at Ohio Northern University is Mechanical Engineering at $66,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $18,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Ohio Northern University earns $66,700, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $18,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $26,176 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,478/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $66,700 | $66,700 | $26,176 |
| Civil Engineering | $62,800 | $62,800 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,200 | $59,200 | $22,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $38,200 | $38,200 | $25,762 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $18,600 | $18,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Ada, OH
- Student Body
- 2,489 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,478
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $80,928
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000