About Ohio University Ohio University is Ohio’s first and finest public university, founded in 1804 as the first institution of higher learning in the Northwest Territory. For more than two centuries, we have continued to grow, adapt, and lead—remaining true to our mission while evolving to meet the needs of each new generation of students. Today, OHIO enrolls nearly 30,000 students across the state and online, offering over 250 academic programs in fields ranging from business, communications, and healthcare to the social sciences, the arts, and STEM. Our focus is on student success—providing access to real-world industry and research experiences at an affordable cost. It’s why U.S. News & World Report ranks Ohio University as the No. 1 Best Value public university in the stat