Find your Roar at Shawnee State
From your first campus visit to your first day of class, you won’t navigate your college journey alone.
Our admissions team is here to answer your questions, walk you through deadlines, and help you find the path that’s right for you.
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College is a good investment.
Shawnee State is an even better one.
Shawnee State is Ohio's only open-access public university recognized as a Carnegie Opportunity College. That means a real path to a degree, at one of the lowest tuition rates in Ohio, with hands-on experience built in from day one. You'll graduate with a résumé, not just a transcript.
12:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
Small classes mean professors know your name — and care about your future. You’ll learn from experts in your field both in and out of the classroom.
91% Receive Financial Aid
Most Shawnee State students receive some form of financial assistance.
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22 NCAA Division II Varsity Sports
From professors and advisors to coaches and athletic trainers, you'll have a network of people invested in your success on the field, in the classroom, and beyond graduation.
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4 Years Tuition Locked
As a first-time freshman, you can count on your tuition to stay the same for four years. That’s The Shawnee Advantage.
Learn MoreSee for Yourself
The best way to know if Shawnee State fits is to walk it. Our compact 62-acre campus sits in historic Portsmouth, a few blocks from the Ohio River and minutes from Shawnee State Forest. Spend a day as a Bear, and we think you'll feel right at home.
Your personal visit includes:
• An admissions presentation covering everything you need to know about applying and attending SSU
• A tour of our beautiful, compact campus
• A look inside apartment- or townhouse-style housing (based on availability)
Can't make it to Portsmouth? Meet with an Admission Associate in a virtual one-on-one, on your schedule.
Your application is free. Your future is wide open.
Shawnee State is open access. If you're ready to start, there's a place for you here, whether you're a first-time freshman, a transfer, or coming back to finish what you started.
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for financial aid.
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Get your decision
Most admission decisions in under 7 days.
Deadlines
- December 1 — Early scholarship consideration, including limited full-tuition awards
- February 1 — Priority deadline for scholarships
- June 1 — Final deadline for fall
Selective programs
Some programs, including nursing and health sciences, education, and the Honors Program, have their own application and deadlines. See selective program deadlines.
Big value. No surprises.
Free tuition for qualifying students. First-time, full-time freshmen from 10 Ohio and 3 Kentucky counties who are Pell-eligible and have a 3.0 GPA and 18 ACT may attend tuition-free. Applying gives you automatic consideration. See if you qualify
The Shawnee Advantage. Lock in your tuition, housing, meal plan, and general fees for four years, so you budget once. Tuition rates
In-state rates beyond Ohio. Students from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Midwest Student Exchange states may qualify for in-state tuition.
Aid for most Bears. 91% of students receive some form of financial aid. Apply by Dec. 1 for first scholarship consideration.
Questions? Talk to a real person.
Not sure which program fits? Wondering if you qualify for free tuition? Need help with the FAFSA or a selective-program deadline? Our Admission Associates help you choose a program, finish your application, and plan the cost. However you reach out, we're ready to help.
Three ways to connect
Not ready to talk yet? Request information and we'll send it your way.
Take the Next Step
College is a good investment. Shawnee State is an even better one.
Our Admissions team is here to help with anything you need, from choosing a program
to submitting your application.
Schedule a virtual one-on-one meeting with one of our Admission Associates!
