Universities in Columbus, USA
- Rankings & Reviews -

For business studies see our separate ranking of business schools in Columbus, USA

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Columbus
  • 06 Mar, 2024: Latest Scimago Institutions Rankings from Scimago Institutions. 2 universities from Columbus appear in this ranking.
  • 25 Jan, 2024: Publication of THE World’s Most International Universities. Ohio State University, The Ohio State University ranked #120.
  • 15 Dec, 2023: Publication of Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - ShanghaiRanking (Sport Science). Ohio State University, The Ohio State University ranked #201.
  • 05 Dec, 2023: QS World University Rankings: Sustainability updated with Ohio State University, The Ohio State University in position 316.

It’s fair to say that Columbus, Ohio, has been best known in recent years for its employment boom, as well for having some of the most friendly, welcoming locals in the country. Those moving to Columbus can expect a vibrant foodie scene, plenty of outdoor activities, and a wide variety of work and study options.

When it's time for a break from studying, the Scioto Mile parks and trails on the banks of the Scioto River that runs through the city is the perfect getaway. It's also the location for several of the city's yearly events which includes the Food Truck Festival and the Earth Day celebrations.


Rankings of universities in Columbus, USA 2024

  • #36 
  • #99 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #100 
  • #99 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #35 
  • #151 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
Show 16 more rankings of Ohio State University, The Ohio State University and subject specific rankings for 10 subjects

#2
USA

Franklin University

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 105 student ratings)
Card image

  • #889 
  • #929 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #870 
  • #907 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]

#3
USA

Mount Carmel College of Nursing

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 68 student ratings)
Card image

  • #721 
  • #750 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #775 
  • #806 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #1620 
  • #10907 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]


#4
USA

Ohio Dominican University

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 76 student ratings)
  • #1042 
  • #1087 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #1050 
  • #1102 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #1411 
  • #8688 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#5
USA

Mississippi University for Women

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 8 student ratings)
Card image

  • #1415 
  • #1489 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #1431 
  • #1508 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #1217 
  • #7697 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

Student satisfaction: 4.0 / 5.0 (based on 52 student ratings)
Card image

  • #505 
  • #501 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #809 
  • #840 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #356 
  • #363 
Kiplinger's Best College Values
[Published 31 July, 2019]
Show 2 more rankings of Capital University and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.5 / 5.0 (based on 275 student ratings)
Card image

  • #712 
  • #600 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #1078 
  • #1124 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #1136 
  • #1191 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
Show 1 more rankings of Columbus College of Art and Design

  • #713 
  • #600 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #490 
  • #4000 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #1092 
  • #1136 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
Show 2 more rankings of Columbus State University and subject specific rankings for 3 subjects

#9
USA

Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus


Highest subject rankings of universities in Columbus

Sociology GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#4 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Public Administration GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#5 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Linguistics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#17 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Education GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#21 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Law US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#30 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Dentistry QS World University Rankings By Subject
#39 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Aerospace Engineering GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#46 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Geology QS World University Rankings By Subject
#51 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Mathematics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#76 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University
Computer Science NTU Rankings by Subject
#98 
Ohio State University, The Ohio State University

Student Opinions About Studying in Columbus

“If you ask me, Columbus’ best asset is its inhabitants. The norm here is to say hello to each other as you cross paths in the street, and people will generally go out of their way to give you help with directions and so on. These things really say a lot about a city for me.”

“The city has improved itself so much since its wave of new and better employment opportunities, but the majority of Columbus outside of the center seems to be just shopping malls. I would recommend living as close to the center as possible to enjoy more variety.”

“Columbus enjoys a thriving foodie scene, which has come to be thanks to the surrounding area being farmland, which means that the city has started to promote a lot of local produce campaigns.”

Columbus Key Facts for International Students

PROS

  • There are many options when it comes to enjoying your free time, which can include outdoor and indoor sports activities, great nightlife, and dining options.

  • Many businesses choose to set up their corporate headquarters in Columbus, and the Ohio State University is also a major employer in the area. Overall, newcomers have a lot of variety when commencing their job search here.

  • Columbus doesn’t suffer from serious traffic problems, unlike so many other U.S cities. The only time you can expect some light congestion is during rush hour, but even so it's not very extreme.

CONS

  • Columbus could benefit from more live music venues and places to enjoy artistic performances, as residents complain that there are not many cultural attractions.

  • The city doesn’t have a subway or a light rail system. It does have a COTA bus service, but its coverage doesn’t reach some parts of the city which makes it unusable for people outside its catchment area. Many express that a car is a necessity here.

  • The trend in recent years has been to see housing prices steadily increase, with no end currently in sight.


8 out of 9 Universities in Columbus Ranked in at least one ranking

21 Different Rankings list Universities in Columbus (13 institution and 8 subject rankings)

17 Global Rankings rank Universities in Columbus Among TOP 200

Population: 906000

Elevation: 235 m. above sea level

Time: GMT -5

District/province: Ohio, Franklin County

Living costs for students in Columbus:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 83* (17% cheaper than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 67* (33% cheaper than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 75* (25% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 5.15 US$
  • Plug Type A
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz
  • Plug Type B
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz

Map with location of universities in Columbus

google static map google map control google map control

Useful related pages

Links below are handpicked for usefulness. We might earn a commission on purchases.

FAQ

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University ranks #1 in Columbus in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Social Studies & Humanities (Sociology). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Business (Public Administration). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Languages & Literature (Linguistics). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Education (Education). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Law (Law). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Medicine & Health (Dentistry). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Engineering (Aerospace Engineering). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Natural Sciences (Geology). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ohio State University, The Ohio State University is ranked best in Columbus for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the Ohio State University, The Ohio State University.

Ranking publishers

4icu

view methodology

view methodology

British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:

Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%

view methodology

view methodology

Kiplinger

Criteria used in ranking -Kiplinger's Best College Values:

Quality Criteria 55% Cost Criteria 45%

view methodology

NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:

Research Productivity: 25%

  • # Articles last 11 years: 10%
  • # Articles current year: 15%

Research Impact: 35%

  • # Citations last 11 years: 15%
  • # Citations last 2 years: 10%
  • Average # citations last 11 years: 10%

Research Excellence: 40%

  • H-index last 2 years: 10%
  • # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
  • # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%

view methodology

Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:

Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)

view methodology

Payscale

Criteria used in ranking -Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only):

Ranking is based on ROI

view methodology

view methodology

Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

view methodology

ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:

Quality of Education 10%

  • Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%

  • Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
  • Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%

  • Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
  • Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

view methodology

THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:

Research Reputation 66,6% Teaching Reputation 33,3%

view methodology

Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:

Proportion of international students 25% Proportion of international staff 25% Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25% University’s international reputation 25%

view methodology

view methodology

The Princeton Review

view methodology

Us News

view methodology

Wallstreet Journal USA & THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings:

Outcomes 40% (employability) Resources 30% Engagement 20% (teaching) Environment 10% (diversity)

view methodology

Washington Monthly

Criteria used in ranking -Washington Monthly - National Universities:

Social Mobility 33.33%
Research 33.33%
Community and National Service 33.33%

view methodology

Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

view methodology