Photo: Nyttend · Public domainBluffton University is 11.1 miles from Ottawa
No college sits inside Ottawa’s boundary, but Bluffton University’s campus in Bluffton, with 613 students on campus, is 11.1 miles from the center of town, and James A. Rhodes State College is 19.5 miles away in Lima. About 9% of Ottawa’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 Ottawa. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Ottawa
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Ottawa
One private college within 11.1 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Ohio State University-Lima Campus, is 19.4 miles away.
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 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.
Starts at $48–75k, where Ottawa’s median household income ($69,950) falls.
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.
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.
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).
Questions about college near Ottawa
Is Ottawa a college town?
No. About 9 of every 100 Ottawa residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Ohio (6). The nearest campus, Bluffton University, is 11.1 miles away in Bluffton.
What colleges are near Ottawa?
Within 15 miles: Bluffton University (11.1 miles, 613 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Ottawa, and what does it cost?
James A. Rhodes State College in Lima, 19.5 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 Ohio State University-Lima Campus cost if we live in Ohio?
Tuition and fees are $9,488 a year in-state and $36,266 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,805 (under $30,000 income) to $18,468 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
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 Ottawa. 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 →