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Colleges in and near Lima

Lima is home to University of Northwestern Ohio

The University of Northwestern Ohio (2,111 students on campus) is inside the city, and James A. Rhodes State College (3,283) is 4.5 miles from the center, just over the line in Bath Township. About 5% of Lima’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Ohio (6%).

University of Northwestern OhioJames A. Rhodes State College

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 Lima. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
9,131 students on campus
Nearest college
2.8 mi
University of Northwestern Ohio
Residents in college
5%
About the same as OH (6%)
Nearest community college
4.5 mi
James A. Rhodes State College · $4,560 tuition
Nearest public university
4.5 mi
James A. Rhodes State College · $4,560 in-state
Median household income
$46K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Lima

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

Two colleges within 4.5 milesTogether they have 5,394 students on campus.A community college 4.5 miles awayJames A. Rhodes State College in Lima: tuition and fees $4,560 a year for Ohio residents.In-state price at James A. Rhodes State CollegeLiving in Ohio, James A. Rhodes State College charges $4,560 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $9,120. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 5% 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 Lima

Two private colleges within 15 miles, one public college within 4.6 miles, and James A. Rhodes State College 4.5 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miJames A. Rhodes State CollegeUniversity of Northwestern OhioLima
University or collegeCommunity college
University of Northwestern OhioUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,111 on campus · In Lima$22knet price54%graduate$51kearningsJames A. Rhodes State CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,283 on campus · 4.5 mi · Lima$9knet price47%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $4,560 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Ohio State University-Lima CampusUniversity or college · Public · 696 on campus · 4.6 mi · Lima$13knet price23%graduate$60kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Ohio Northern UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,041 on campus · 15 mi · Ada74%admitted$24knet price75%graduate$81kearnings

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. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Lima’s median household income ($46,240) falls.

James A. Rhodes State College4.5 mi · Lima · sticker $14,578 · tuition $4,560$7,850a year
Ohio State University-Lima Campus4.6 mi · Lima · sticker $19,487$10,006a year
University of Northwestern OhioIn Lima · sticker $26,266$16,997a year
Ohio Northern University15 mi · Ada · sticker $53,580$19,223a 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 within 15 miles of Lima: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of Northwestern OhioJames A. Rhodes State CollegeOhio State University-Lima CampusOhio Northern University
James A. Rhodes State College47% graduate$42k earnings$12k typical debt
Ohio Northern University75% graduate$81k earnings$27k typical debt
University of Northwestern Ohio54% graduate$51k earnings$17k typical debt
Ohio State University-Lima Campus23% graduate$60k earnings*$20k 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: Ohio State University-Lima Campus (6).

Majors

What students study in Lima

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

Mechanics & repair 67%Business 13%Agriculture 9%Engineering tech 4%Parks & recreation 3%Computer science 2%Everything else 3%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations66 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness20 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services16 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative Services8 graduates a year
$49k4 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 Lima

Is Lima a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Lima residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Ohio (6). The largest campus in the city, the University of Northwestern Ohio, has 2,111 students on campus.

What colleges are in Lima?

The University of Northwestern Ohio is inside the city. James A. Rhodes State College is 4.5 miles from the center, in Bath Township.

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

James A. Rhodes State College in Lima, 4.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,560 a year for Ohio residents; the federal net price, $8,757, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does James A. Rhodes State College cost if we live in Ohio?

Tuition and fees are $4,560 a year in-state and $9,120 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,461 (under $30,000 income) to $13,392 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Lima. 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 →