Established in 1804, Ohio University is the oldest public institution of higher learning in the state of Ohio. The university mentions that the Athens campus has 17,000-plus undergraduate students and more than 970 full-time faculty for a 19:1 student to faculty ratio. It is a residential campus with all first- and second-year students living in one of the university's 42 residence halls, and many third-year and above students also residing on or near campus. More than 1,400 students from other countries attend, creating an environment of diversity. Also of note is the wealth of extracurricular and sports opportunities with more than 350 registered student organizations, 29 fraternities and sororities, and 16 NCAA Division I teams in the Mid-American Conference.
The undergraduate division of Ohio University offers more than 250 majors in nine colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Health Sciences and Professions, the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the Patton College of Education and Human Services, and the Scripps College of Communication. Rounding out this list is the University College and the Honors Tutorial College. The former serves as the college of entry for many first-year and transfer students and has Ohio University's only individualized degree, the Bachelor of Specialized Studies. The latter offers a distinct program based on the Oxbridge systems of tutorial education developed in England where students receive a substantial portion of their education via one-on-one classes or small seminars. According to Ohio University, the Honors Tutorial College is highly selective with competitive admissions, only accommodating about 60 new students each year. The university also offers graduate study programs, including master's degrees in many major academic divisions and doctoral degrees in selected departments.
Ohio University highlights that the undergraduate admissions process is selective and is granted to the best-qualified applicants based on criteria including strength of high school curriculum, performance in that curriculum, class rank, grade point average and ACT and/or SAT scores.
Cited for academic quality and value by such publications as U.S. News and World Report, Princeton Review's Best Colleges, and Peterson's Guides to Competitive Colleges, Ohio University also mentions the recognition by the John Templeton Foundation as one of the top character-building institutions in the country.
Ohio University points out that its five regional campuses and two satellite centers throughout southeastern Ohio provide students the option of still experiencing a vibrant learning environment. The campuses' open admissions policy allows all Ohio high school graduates to be admitted with future relocation to the main Athens campus always remaining an option.