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Riverside ChapelRiverside Chapel · Photo: Nyttend · Public domain
Colleges in and near Defiance

Defiance is home to Defiance College

Defiance College (460 students on campus) is inside the city. About 7% of Defiance’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Ohio (6%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Defiance. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
3,915 students on campus
Nearest college
1.2 mi
Defiance College
Residents in college
7%
About the same as OH (6%)
Nearest community college
12.2 mi
Northwest State · $4,698 tuition
Nearest public university
38.2 mi
Bowling Green State · $14,460 in-state
Median household income
$61K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Defiance

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college in DefianceDefiance College has 460 students on campus in Defiance, 31% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 12.2 miles awayNorthwest State Community College in Archbold: tuition and fees $4,698 a year for Ohio residents.In-state price at Bowling Green StateLiving in Ohio, Bowling Green State University charges $14,460 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $22,448. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 7% of residentsAbout the same as Ohio (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Defiance

One private college within 1.2 miles, and Northwest State Community College 12.2 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Bowling Green State University, is 38.2 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miNorthwest StateDefiance CollegeDefiance
University or collegeCommunity college
Defiance CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 460 on campus · In Defiance48%admitted$26knet price31%graduate$49kearningsNorthwest State Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,455 on campus · 12.2 mi · Archbold$14knet price46%graduate$40kearningsTuition and fees: $4,698 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Defiance’s median household income ($61,439) falls.

Northwest State Community College12.2 mi · Archbold · sticker $17,994 · tuition $4,698$13,785a year
Bowling Green State University38.2 mi · Bowling Green · sticker $33,007$21,820a year
Defiance CollegeIn Defiance · sticker $53,667$25,884a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Defiance CollegeNorthwest StateBowling Green State
Bowling Green State University64% graduate$48k earnings*$25k typical debt
Northwest State Community College46% graduate$40k earnings$10k typical debt
Defiance College31% graduate$49k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Bowling Green State (2).

Majors

What students study in Defiance

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Defiance College, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Education 17%Parks & recreation 17%Public administration 15%Business 14%Public safety 11%Biology 5%Everything else 20%

Biggest programs

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness22 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out
Business/Commerce, General13 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods10 graduates a year
$39k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections8 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Social Work6 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Defiance

Is Defiance a college town?

No. About 7 of every 100 Defiance residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Ohio (6). The largest campus in the city, Defiance College, has 460 students on campus.

What colleges are in Defiance?

Defiance College is inside the city. Northwest State Community College is 12.2 miles away in Archbold.

What is the closest community college to Defiance, and what does it cost?

Northwest State Community College in Archbold, 12.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,698 a year for Ohio residents; the federal net price, $13,555, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Bowling Green State University cost if we live in Ohio?

Tuition and fees are $14,460 a year in-state and $22,448 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $18,396 (under $30,000 income) to $27,414 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Defiance. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →