Ohio University

vs.
University of Rio Grande
A Comparison/Contrast Essay

Joseph Daniel

ENGL112

Professor Rinehart

May 21, 2011

 Ohio University Versus University of Rio Grande

Introduction

Two four-year University Institutions which award a bachelor’s degree as their highest undergraduate degree

are Ohio University and University of Rio Grande. The two entities will be compared based on an overall evaluation of

the institutions (Ohio University and University of Rio Grande). The institutions are being compared based on the

number of enrolled students and faculty at each university. The university’s programs, policies, and tuition and fees are

also being used as evaluation criteria.

Ohio University

Ohio University was founded in 1804 (World Almanac Education Group, 2005, 75). Ohio University is the oldest

public institution of higher education in the state of Ohio. O.U. is also the first institution of its kind in the Northwest

Territory (Application, 2006). The University is located in Athens, Ohio (O.U. Homepage, 2006). The undergraduate

admissions office is located at Chubb Hall 120 in Athens, Ohio (Ohio University, 2006)

Enrollment of students during the 2003-2oo4 academic year was listed at 20,394 students (World Almanac

Education Group, 2005, 714). Faculty was stated at 1,163 during the same academic period according to general

information provided by Thomson Peterson (World Almanac Education Group, 2005, 714).

Ohio University offers 276 undergraduate majors, for individuals in pursuit of a bachelor’s or associates degree

(Ohio University, 2006). In addition, Quantitive Skills including several diverse courses from French Dance, Art History,

Theater, Archeology, and several other vast choices are available, as every O.U. student is required to become more

well rounded with 30 mandatory credit hours in courses such as these (Ohio University, 2006, 37-38).

Ohio University offers selective and limited admission (Ohio University, 2006). One should note that admissions

priority is granted to the most qualified applicants. Annual tuition and required fees for full-time students is an average

$7,128 (World Almanac Education Group, 2005). The average annual cost for room and board is $7,320 (World Almanac

Education Group, 2005). Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
 University of Rio Grande

The University of Rio Grande was founded in 1876 (World Almanac Education Group, 2005). University of Rio

Grande is located in Rio Grande, Ohio (Univ. of Rio Grande Homepage, 2006). The University is an independent four-

year, comprehensive -university, which offers programs ranging from certificates through the Master degree level (Rio

Catalog, 2005).

The enrollment of students during the 2003-2004 academic year was listed at 2,076 students (World Almanac

Education Group, 2005). The number of faculty reported at the University of Rio Grande was 146 during the 2003-2004

academic year according to information provided by Thomson Peterson (World Almanac Education Group, 2005). The

University of Rio Grande currently offers over 70 diverse programs according to the annual schedule (Rio Schedule,

2006).

According to the University of Rio Grande Catalog, Admissions Policy at the University of Rio Grande implements

the philosophy of the University, implying that all who may benefit from a college-level education will be admitted

though a few programs are subject to selective admission requirements such as Psychology, Nursing, and Social Work.

At the University of Rio Grande the annual tuition and required fees for full-time students is an average $10,034 in 2005

(World Almanac Education Group, 2005). The average annual cost for room and board is $5,768 (World Almanac

Education Group, 2005). Financial Aid is available for those who qualify.

Summary

Ohio University was founded in 1804 and is the oldest public institution of higher education in the Northwest

territory (Application, 2006). The University of Rio Grande was founded seventy-two years later in 1876 (World Almanac

Education Group, 2005). The enrollment of students at Ohio University was 20,394 during the 2003-2004 academic year.

The faculty was then stated at 1,163 (World Almanac Education Group, 2005). The University of Rio Grande had 2,076

students and 146 faculty employed in the 2003-2004 academic year.

 Ohio University offers 276 undergraduate majors (Ohio University, 2005). The University of Rio Grande offers 70

programs within its curriculum (Schedule, 2006). Both institutions offer four-year degrees. Ohio University offers only

selective and limited admission (Ohio University, 2006). The University of Rio Grande offers admission to all who may

benefit from a college level education (University of Rio Grande, 2005). At Ohio University annual tuition and room and

board is estimated to be 14,448 annually (World Almanac Education Group, 2005). The cost of tuition and room and

board at the University of Rio Grande is estimated to be 15,802. Financial aid availability appears to be consistent in

comparing the two institutions.

Ohio University offers many more programs and student services than the University of Rio Grande. Ohio

University, though extremely selective, appears to offer prospective students a lot more, for a little less. The University

of Rio Grande is a reputable school, it is also smaller and potentially more student oriented than a school such as, Ohio

University, which may appear overwhelming and more complicated than a smaller school such as the University of Rio

Grande.
 References

Ohio University. (2006). Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog. 14, 17,37-38, 53.

Ohio University Homepage. (2006). Retrieved October, 24, 2006 from the world wide web: http://www.ohio.edu/.

University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College. (2006). 2006-2007 Annual Schedule. 1,5.

University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College. 2005. Rio Grande Course Catalog.

University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College Homepage. (2006). Retrieved October 24,2006 from the
world wide web: http://www.rio edu/.

World Almanac Education Group, Inc. (2005). The world Almanac and Book of Facts 2005. 75, 714, 720.