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Top 10 Colleges for Job Opportunities in Ohio for 2026
As students prepare to embark on their college journeys, one of their most pressing concerns is the impact their chosen institution will have on their future job prospects. In today’s competitive job market, where living expenses continue to rise, selecting the right college is critical.
Ohio stands out as a prime destination for higher education, offering a diverse range of reputable research universities and quality state schools that equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving workforce.
This article explores the top colleges in Ohio that significantly enhance graduates’ employability. Utilizing data from College Scorecard and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), we have compiled a list of institutions that excel in preparing students for successful careers.
Below are the ten best colleges for job placement in Ohio:
- Ohio Northern University
- Denison University
- John Carroll University
- University of Dayton
- Heidelberg University
- Wittenberg University
- University of Mount Union
- Xavier University
- Baldwin Wallace University
- The University of Findlay
If you’re attending one of these institutions, you likely already appreciate the quality of education they offer. For others, let’s dive into what makes these schools stand out in Ohio’s higher education landscape.
How We Determined the Best Schools in Ohio for Job Placement
To identify the leading colleges in Ohio for job placement, we analyzed College Scorecard Data, focusing on employment rates for graduates ten years post-graduation. We limited our analysis to 78 public and non-profit four-year institutions in Ohio that confer bachelor’s degrees.
Institutions were ranked according to the percentage of graduates employed, with each school’s rating rounded to two decimal places for clarity. Ohio Northern University topped the list, achieving the highest job placement rate.
Best Colleges for Securing a Job in Ohio
| Rank | College | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio Northern University | 95.86% |
| 2 | Denison University | 94.65% |
| 3 | John Carroll University | 94.32% |
| 4 | University of Dayton | 94.24% |
| 5 | Heidelberg University | 93.73% |
| 6 | Wittenberg University | 93.59% |
| 7 | University of Mount Union | 93.48% |
| 8 | Xavier University | 93.44% |
| 9 | Baldwin Wallace University | 93.38% |
| 10 | The University of Findlay | 93.26% |
| 11 | Muskingum University | 93.22% |
| 12 | Ohio Wesleyan University | 93.18% |
| 13 | Marietta College | 93.15% |
| 14 | The College of Wooster | 92.91% |
| 15 | Defiance College | 92.6% |
| 16 | Otterbein University | 92.47% |
| 17 | Bluffton University | 92.32% |
| 18 | Case Western Reserve University | 92.26% |
| 19 | Walsh University | 92.22% |
| 20 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus | 92.17% |
| 21 | Wilmington College | 91.99% |
| 22 | Wilberforce University | 91.78% |
| 23 | Tiffin University | 91.58% |
| 24 | University of Northwestern Ohio | 91.53% |
| 25 | Ashland University | 91.5% |
| 26 | Ohio State University-Lima Campus | 91.34% |
| 27 | Ohio State University-Marion Campus | 91.34% |
| 28 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | 91.34% |
| 29 | Ohio State University-Newark Campus | 91.34% |
| 30 | Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus | 91.34% |
| 31 | Mount Saint Joseph University | 91.29% |
| 32 | Kettering College | 91.24% |
| 33 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University | 90.85% |
| 34 | Notre Dame College | 90.59% |
| 35 | Hiram College | 90.3% |
| 36 | Wright State University-Lake Campus | 90.28% |
| 37 | Wright State University-Main Campus | 90.28% |
| 38 | Miami University-Hamilton | 90.07% |
| 39 | Miami University-Middletown | 90.07% |
| 40 | Miami University-Oxford | 90.07% |
| 41 | Ohio Dominican University | 90.06% |
| 42 | University of Toledo | 89.95% |
| 43 | Ursuline College | 89.9% |
| 44 | Capital University | 89.62% |
| 45 | Urbana University | 89.54% |
| 46 | Malone University | 89.29% |
| 47 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | 89.23% |
| 48 | University of Cincinnati-Clermont College | 89.23% |
| 49 | University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | 89.23% |
| 50 | Kent State University at Geauga | 89.12% |
| 51 | Kent State University at Kent | 89.12% |
| 52 | Kent State University at Salem | 89.12% |
| 53 | Kent State University at Tuscarawas | 89.12% |
| 54 | Kent State University at Trumbull | 89.12% |
| 55 | Kent State University at Stark | 89.12% |
| 56 | Kent State University at East Liverpool | 89.12% |
| 57 | Kent State University at Ashtabula | 89.12% |
| 58 | Oberlin College | 88.99% |
| 59 | Ohio University-Main Campus | 88.99% |
| 60 | Mercy College of Ohio | 88.95% |
| 61 | Youngstown State University | 88.29% |
| 62 | Ohio Christian University | 87.79% |
| 63 | Cleveland State University | 87.13% |
| 64 | University of Akron Main Campus | 87.04% |
| 65 | Central State University | 87.0% |
| 66 | Columbus College of Art and Design | 86.89% |
| 67 | Franklin University | 86.59% |
| 68 | Cedarville University | 85.95% |
| 69 | Lake Erie College | 85.67% |
| 70 | Cincinnati Christian University | 85.39% |
| 71 | Lourdes University | 84.65% |
| 72 | Union Institute & University | 84.3% |
| 73 | Antioch University-Midwest | 82.67% |
| 74 | Herzing University-Akron | 82.34% |
| 75 | Herzing University-Toledo | 82.34% |
| 76 | University of Rio Grande | 82.09% |
| 77 | Shawnee State University | 80.7% |
| 78 | Franciscan University of Steubenville | 80.34% |
In conclusion, the colleges listed above not only provide quality education but also significantly enhance the employability of their graduates. Choosing one of these institutions can be a strategic move for students looking to secure a successful career in Ohio’s dynamic job market.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
