Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Lima, Ohio
James A. Rhodes State College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.1Avg GPA
$13,569Annual Cost
$41,855Grad Salary
14.9%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.1
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$8,851
Need-Based Aid
14.9% receive Pell
James A. Rhodes State College, established in 1971 in Lima, Ohio, specializes in manufacturing, healthcare, and public safety programs. The campus features a state-of-the-law enforcement training center.
Rhodes State is unranked but essential to west-central Ohio's workforce. Its strong industry ties support the region's advanced manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
James A. Rhodes State College Acceptance Rate
Admission at James A. Rhodes State College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.65
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
James A. Rhodes State College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
James A. Rhodes State College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Rhodes State College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Rhodes State College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Rhodes State College is 3.1. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.80–3.1 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.30–3.50.Rhodes State College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.70 – 2.89
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.69
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Shares its 565-acre Lima campus and building facilities with The Ohio State University at Lima under a "single student body" concept.
- Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship offers a minimum $1,500/year for associate-degree students (or $500/year for certificate students) in STEMM-aligned, COF-eligible programs.
- The Borra Center for Health Science (opened 2021, downtown Lima) houses nursing, respiratory care, EMS, PTA, and OTA programs together with high-fidelity simulation labs across four healthcare suites.
- Mechanical Engineering Technology is ABET-accredited; students completing the Manufacturing Engineering Technology (FMS) degree can also earn a stackable CNC certificate.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Rhodes State College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from James A. Rhodes State College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
James A. Rhodes State College (Rhodes State College) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Rhodes State College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Rhodes State College Without SAT or ACT?
Rhodes State College's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Rhodes State College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Rhodes State College's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Leverage the Shared Campus With Ohio State University at Lima
Rhodes State and OSU Lima operate on the same 565-acre campus with shared classroom and lab space under a "single student body" concept. Ask specifically how this co-location affects access to OSU Lima courses, facilities, or potential dual-enrollment/transfer arrangements - a structural rarity between a two-year state college and a four-year public university branch.
Target Choose Ohio First for STEMM Majors as a Real Competitive Scholarship
This state grant offers a minimum $1,500/year for associate-degree students (or $500/year for certificate students) in STEMM-aligned programs, awarded to high-achieving students in COF-eligible majors specifically. Confirm the intended program is COF-eligible and apply directly - it's not automatically bundled with general admission.
Use the Borra Center's Simulation Labs as a Health-Program Differentiator
This 50,000-square-foot, downtown Lima facility (opened 2021) houses nursing, respiratory care, EMS, PTA, and OTA programs together with high-fidelity simulation labs across four healthcare suites. Ask specifically about simulation lab access and interprofessional training opportunities - a substantial, recent investment beyond typical community college health facilities.
Pursue Mechanical Engineering Technology's ABET Accreditation and CNC Stacking
This program is ABET-accredited, and students completing the Manufacturing Engineering Technology (FMS) degree can also earn a CNC certificate. Ask about this certificate-stacking option specifically - a marketable, verifiable credential without extending the overall program timeline.
Expert Insight:
Because Rhodes State shares its physical campus with Ohio State University at Lima, confirm precisely which courses, facilities, and student services belong to Rhodes State versus OSU Lima - the shared campus can create confusion about which institution actually grants a given credential or governs a specific program.
Rhodes State College Profile
Full Name
James A. Rhodes State College (Rhodes State College)
City
Lima
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
45804
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Rhodes State College Degree Worth It?
At $13,569/year against a $41,855 median graduate salary, Rhodes State College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $53,900, and graduates see a 3.01% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Rhodes State College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $13,569/year at Rhodes State College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $8,851.
At Rhodes State College, 14.9% receive a Pell Grant and 14.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Rhodes State College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Rhodes State College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Rhodes State College graduates report a median income of $41,855, about 3% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Rhodes State College
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhodes State College Admissions
James A. Rhodes State College graduates earn a lower median salary of $41,855/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at James A. Rhodes State College is relatively affordable, around $13,569/year.
14.9% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — James A. Rhodes State College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
The average GPA of admitted James A. Rhodes State College students is 3.1, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.8 puts you in the standard applicant pool at James A. Rhodes State College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.7 or below makes admission tougher at James A. Rhodes State College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
James A. Rhodes State College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.