COLUMBUS, Ohio-Jim Rhodes, while running for governor in 1962, advocated for a public college or university within 30 miles of every Ohioan. Since then, Ohio has seen a proliferation of colleges and universities, with 14 public universities, 23 community colleges, approximately 50 nonprofit private schools, and around 30 for-profit schools.
Despite this growth, Ohio’s college-age demographic isn’t expanding. In 2022, Ohio had 463,000 students in public universities, a 12.2% decrease from the previous decade. While the state provides support to public schools, funding hasn’t kept pace with other states. However, local governance prevents the state from mandating specific programs at colleges. The author emphasizes the importance of preserving the strength of Ohio’s public universities, citing personal connections to institutions like Miami University, Ohio University, and Ohio State University.
