Kent State vs Ohio University

Kent State University and Ohio University are two of Ohio's most interesting regional public universities — and two of the most respected journalism schools in the United States. Both compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), both draw students from across Ohio and the Midwest, and both have produced journalists, broadcasters, and media professionals who work at the highest levels of the industry. The choice between them is genuinely competitive, and it largely comes down to geography, campus culture, and specific program strengths.

Quick Comparison

Journalism Programs

The headline comparison for many prospective students is journalism, and both programs have earned their national reputations through decades of producing working professionals. Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism is among the oldest and most decorated journalism programs in the country, consistently appearing in the nation's top 10 rankings. Scripps places graduates at major newspapers, network television stations, digital media companies, and public radio outlets. The program's emphasis on immersive storytelling, international reporting, and documentary journalism has produced a remarkable alumni network. Notable OU journalism alumni include Matt Lauer, Clarence Page, and Soledad O'Brien.

Kent State's School of Journalism and Mass Communication has carved out distinct strengths in photojournalism, digital media production, and media management. The program has deep ties to the wire service and magazine industry, and its photojournalism concentration has produced working photojournalists for major news organizations. Kent State also benefits from its proximity to Cleveland and Akron, which creates genuine internship pipelines into Northeast Ohio's media market. Both programs maintain active student newspapers, television stations, and digital outlets that give students real-world experience before graduation.

Campus Vibe & Setting

Ohio University's Athens campus is one of the defining college-town experiences in the American Midwest. The brick streets of uptown Athens, the Hocking Hills landscape surrounding the city, and the sheer geographic isolation of the campus from any major metro area create an intensely focused residential culture. OU students live, study, and socialize in a community where the university is essentially the entire economy. Court Street is a genuine social hub — lined with restaurants, bars, and shops that exist almost entirely to serve the student population. For students who want to be fully immersed in university life with few distractions from the outside world, Athens delivers that experience in a way few campuses in Ohio can match.

Kent State's campus in Kent is a different kind of place. Situated roughly 30 miles southeast of Cleveland and 12 miles east of Akron, Kent is a college town but one with a more suburban character. The campus itself is attractive, with a mix of architectural eras and a pleasant residential core. Students have ready access to the cultural and professional resources of Northeast Ohio — Cleveland's arts scene, Akron's growing tech and polymer industries, and a deep network of corporate employers. For students who want a college-town experience without total geographic isolation, Kent provides a reasonable balance.

Academics Beyond Journalism

Both universities offer broad academic programs beyond journalism. Ohio University has strong programs in business, engineering technology, health sciences, and the arts. The Russ College of Engineering and Technology is well regarded, and OU's College of Health Sciences and Professions serves a significant portion of the student body. The university also maintains a respected medical school in Athens, adding research depth to the campus environment.

Kent State offers notable strengths in fashion design (the fashion school is one of the better programs in the Midwest), nursing, education, and the sciences. The university's main campus in Kent is supplemented by a system of regional campuses across Northeast Ohio, which expands access but also means that some programs and courses are distributed across multiple sites. For students on the main Kent campus, the academic experience is focused and increasingly research-oriented.

Athletics & Campus Pride

Both schools compete in the Mid-American Conference, which means they share the competitive landscape of MAC football, basketball, and a full range of Olympic sports. MAC football has produced numerous NFL players, and both Kent State and Ohio University have had periods of MAC championship success. Ohio University's football games in Peden Stadium are major campus events, drawing large crowds to Athens on autumn Saturdays. Kent State's football program has had notable recent success, including MAC championship appearances.

Ohio University's basketball program, playing in the Convocation Center, has produced NBA-caliber talent and made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Kent State basketball has similarly competitive moments, with recent tournament runs generating significant national attention. Both programs benefit from passionate MAC fan bases that treat mid-major basketball with genuine intensity.

Costs & Value

For Ohio residents, Kent State's in-state tuition of approximately $11,400 is lower than Ohio University's roughly $12,700. Both schools offer merit scholarships for high-achieving in-state students, and both participate in federal and state financial aid programs. When room and board are added, total costs of attendance run roughly $26,000–$28,000 at both institutions. Out-of-state students face higher sticker prices at both schools, though reciprocity agreements and merit aid can reduce those costs substantially.

Both universities represent strong value for Ohio residents seeking a research university experience at a regional public price. Neither carries the prestige premium of Ohio State or Miami, but both deliver solid academic programs, nationally recognized journalism training, and vibrant campus lives at costs well below Ohio's flagship institutions.

Notable Alumni & Outcomes

Ohio University's alumni network includes journalists Soledad O'Brien, Clarence Page, and Matt Lauer, as well as NBA coach Larry Bird's son Connor Bird and a range of professionals across media, business, and government. The Scripps network is particularly strong in broadcast journalism and international reporting. Ohio University graduates find employment in media markets across the country, and the Athens alumni community is notably loyal and connected.

Kent State alumni include businessman Michael Symon (Food Network), political figures from Ohio's congressional delegation, and a range of journalists and media professionals. The university's proximity to Cleveland and Akron means many graduates build careers in Northeast Ohio before branching out nationally. Kent State's fashion program alumni have found success with major retail and design brands.

Who Should Choose Each School

Choose Ohio University if you want the quintessential immersive college-town experience, a historically prestigious journalism school with a deep national alumni network, and you value the focused, tight-knit community that geographic isolation creates. OU is particularly strong for students interested in broadcast journalism, documentary work, and international reporting.

Choose Kent State if you want strong journalism training with particular strengths in photojournalism and digital media, proximity to Northeast Ohio's professional markets, a slightly lower price, and a campus environment that balances residential college life with access to a major metropolitan area. Kent is also worth considering for students interested in fashion design, nursing, or programs that benefit from Cleveland-area industry connections.

Frequently Asked Questions