University of Rio Grande

The University's contemporary 190 acre campus is located in Rio Grande, Ohio, nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of the Southeastern region of the state offering students the safety associated with a small town. The Rio Grande campus is an oasis of learning, innovation, and technology in the region.

The institution's strengths lie in a faculty of teacher/scholars who are dedicated to both the academic and humanistic growth of every student; programs that are academically challenging and numerous opportunities for extracurricular involvement.

As America's unique private/public institution of higher education, Rio Grande's mission is to provide learners the opportunity to attain a high-quality, high-value education. Our personalized, learner-centered environment promotes successful lives, careers, and responsible citizenship.

The University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College is America's unique private/public institution of higher education designed to provide learners the opportunity to attain a high-quality, high-value education. Our personalized, learner-centered environment promotes successful lives, careers, and responsible citizenship.

Rio will continue to be a learner-centered community. It will continually provide support, developmental activities and modern equipment for faculty, staff and students. This support enables the faculty and staff to increase the ongoing learning and academic achievements of the students. Rio will consistently provide an environment where learning is the priority and excellent teaching is honored. The institution will respond quickly to regional, state, national and international needs.

The University of Rio Grande offers a variety of opportunities for students to be involved in campus life. Numerous activities that are recreational, educational, and cultural are offered throughout the academic year to accommodate the diverse interests of our students. Past events have included ski and hiking trips, concerts, coffeehouse acts, comedians, out-door carnival attractions, simulators, dances, fundraisers, professional hockey games, and NFL games.

Student interests are the driving force behind planning campus activities. The Student Planning Board is comprised of student leaders interested in enhancing the college experience and is responsible for planning most campus events. The group is open to all interested students.

The University of Rio Grande offers a variety of opportunities for students to be involved in campus life. Numerous activities that are recreational, educational, and cultural are offered throughout the academic year to accommodate the diverse interests of our students. Past events have included ski and hiking trips, concerts, coffeehouse acts, comedians, out-door carnival attractions, simulators, dances, fundraisers, professional hockey games, and NFL games. Student interests are the driving force behind planning campus activities.

Rio Grande’s unique collaboration as the only combined community college and private university in the United States gives you a one-of-a-kind advantage: an outstanding education at an affordable price.

It’s the only institution of higher learning in the country where many students take their core classes at the community-college rate and continue or complete their education at a private university without the inconvenience of transferring to another school. Scholarships and financial aid are available to make Rio Grande even more affordable.

Everyone attending Rio Grande has access to all the benefits of going to a private college: modern instructional facilities, resident life, a performing arts center, distinguished professors, one-on-one personal attention and professional athletic facilities, including an Olympic size pool. Rio Grande is as unique as you are.

Throughout its 139-year history, the University of Rio Grande has recorded significant accomplishments including academic achievement and new buildings that provide instructional space for more than 2000 students. Rio Grande remains committed to meeting the educational needs of southern Ohio and to helping the people of the region to improve their lives. However, the institution now attracts many of its students from a global market in contrast to its beginnings in 1876 when only local residents attended Rio Grande.

Although Rio now includes a variety of new cyberspace options for learning, with distance-learning courses through the Internet, the goal of the institution remains the same as Permelia Atwood envisioned. Personalized attention to students continues to be the heart and soul of Rio Grande.