How Many Universities Are in Columbus, Ohio?

Three. Inside Columbus city limits, the accredited universities with main campuses are The Ohio State University, Franklin University, and Ohio Dominican University.

People sometimes see higher numbers because they’re counting schools in nearby municipalities. Capital University is in the City of Bexley and Otterbein University is in the City of Westerville, which are separate from Columbus even though they sit next to it. Capital’s law school is downtown Columbus, but the university’s main campus is in Bexley, so it isn’t added to the city-only count.

Lists can also shift if they include branch sites or non‑university institutions like community colleges and specialized colleges. If you’re asking strictly about universities located within Columbus proper, the number stays at three.

For a city‑only answer you can use for housing searches or neighborhood comparisons, plan on those three universities.

Published: September 9, 2026 · Reviewed by the Whats Up Columbus editorial team