Research.com
University of Rio Grande logo

University of Rio Grande

#1623 in US ranking Rio Grande, OH
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$33,246
Tuition & fees
$20,960
Avg. aid
$9,701
Receiving aid
100%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
36%
Median salary
$53,448
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of University of Rio Grande?

The University of Rio Grande traces its history to Rio Grande College, founded in 1876 in southeastern Ohio. Its roots include a Free Will Baptist educational tradition, although prospective students today should evaluate it as a university with a range of academic and professional programs rather than assume a religious curriculum applies to every degree.

A defining development was its relationship with Rio Grande Community College, established in the 1970s. The two institutions have shared educational resources and a campus while serving different students and credential pathways. That arrangement helps explain why applicants may encounter both names when exploring programs. Before applying, identify which institution will award the credential and which tuition and academic policies apply.

What are the faculties and departments at University of Rio Grande?

The University of Rio Grande offers undergraduate and graduate study across liberal arts, education, business, health professions, and other applied fields. Students can explore programs such as teacher education, nursing, business administration, biology, psychology, and criminal justice.

The distinction between the university and its community-college partner matters academically as well as financially: an associate-degree pathway and a university bachelor's program may have different admission, tuition, and graduation requirements. Applicants considering nursing, teaching, or another licensed profession should check the current catalog for the exact degree title, clinical or fieldwork requirements, and the state in which they intend to seek a license.

What is the location of University of Rio Grande?

The University of Rio Grande is in Rio Grande, Ohio, a village in Gallia County in the state's southeastern Appalachian region. Its setting is more rural than urban, so commuting, access to a car, and the location of clinical placements or internships can be important practical considerations.

The campus serves students from the surrounding region as well as residents. Nearby Gallipolis provides additional services, and Huntington Tri-State Airport is a regional air-travel option. Students who will travel regularly should compare actual routes and travel times rather than rely on a map's straight-line distance.

What is the mission and vision of University of Rio Grande?

Rio Grande's educational identity centers on access to higher education, learning across academic and career-focused fields, and service to its region. Its long relationship with a community college is an especially concrete expression of that access-oriented role.

For applicants, the useful question is how those priorities appear in a particular program: whether courses are offered at workable times, how advising operates, and what experiential requirements the degree includes. An institutional mission describes intended priorities; it does not establish that every student will have the same experience or outcome.

University of Rio Grande Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

University of Rio Grande

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

Rural: Distant

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, not primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

School type

Comprehensive higher education institution

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1876

University of Rio Grande Accreditation

University of Rio Grande is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

University of Rio Grande Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconCertificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconMaster's degree

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.