Ohio’s upcoming gubernatorial election will significantly influence the state’s higher education system, which faces declining enrollment, evolving workforce demands, and increasing legislative oversight. Democrat Amy Acton and Libertarian Don Kissick have provided detailed responses on their plans for Ohio’s colleges and universities. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign did not respond to questions on the issues.
Ohio’s 14 public universities and 23 community colleges have seen a steady decline in enrollment, from 497,018 students in 2015 to 455,510 in 2025, according to state data. Experts and state education officials anticipate this trend will continue. The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education projects a nearly 17% drop in Ohio high school graduates, or almost 25,000 students, between 2024 and 2041, partly due to lower birthrates and slower population growth among young adults. Additionally, more young Ohioans are opting out of college, influenced by a strong job market and increased interest in skilled trades and other workforce training programs.
The cost of higher education is also a factor. Average tuition and fees at Ohio colleges and universities, both public and private, reached $25,251 in the 2024-2025 academic year, marking an increase of over 12% from five years prior, according to collegetuitioncompare.com. This rise comes despite Ohio’s “tuition guarantee,” which aims to lock in rates for four years. Ohio business leaders have also expressed concern over a "skills gap," indicating a shortage of qualified workers for jobs in fields like healthcare, technology, construction, and advanced manufacturing. Outgoing Governor Mike DeWine’s administration has implemented scholarships and encouraged collaboration between employers and educators to address this. Last year, Governor DeWine signed Senate Bill 1, which introduced restrictions on campus labor unions and prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public colleges.
Democrat Amy Acton, a former state health director, would largely build on existing state efforts, according to campaign spokeswoman Virginia Schaus. To make college more affordable, Acton plans to expand programs for three-year degrees and reduce tuition for students in high-priority fields. Schaus added that Acton would advocate for continued state funding for higher education, the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, and need-based financial aid programs such as the Ohio College Opportunity Grant. While Acton opposes closing or consolidating colleges, Schaus said Acton would encourage shared services and functions among campuses “without reducing the footprint or accessibility of higher education across our state.” To boost enrollment, Acton would work to enhance partnerships between community colleges and four-year universities, helping more students transition from associate to bachelor’s degrees. For workforce development, Acton would create a governor-level talent council comprising business, labor, and education leaders to better align educational offerings with employer needs. Schaus also stated that Acton would expand certificate programs, apprenticeships, and job training, making it easier for students and adult learners to move between various educational programs. Acton is a critic of Senate Bill 1, and Schaus said Acton would work to reduce its “unnecessary burdens and costs,” serving as a “bulwark against any infringements on worker rights.”
Libertarian Don Kissick, a control-room operator, would propose a range of practical changes for affordability, resilience, and workforce focus, according to his running mate, James Mills. Kissick would push public colleges to reduce administrative overhead, increase transparency regarding costs and career outcomes, and simplify credit transfers between institutions to avoid students retaking courses, Mills wrote in an email. To support enrollment and workforce needs, Kissick would expand opportunities for high-school students to earn college credit and encourage more accelerated degree programs. He would also push for a dramatic expansion of apprenticeships. Kissick would seek to repeal the portion of Senate Bill 1 that bans faculty strikes.
Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, after initially suggesting the closure or consolidation of some of Ohio’s public universities, has since stated a desire to target "duplicative programs" within some universities and consolidate "redundant administrative functions." His campaign did not provide further responses to specific questions posed regarding higher education policy.
