Ohio State

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State Overview

Ohio State University is a public university in Columbus, Ohio. Home of the Buckeyes, Ohio State was established in 1878.  It is ranked 1st among Ohio’s public universities and among the top public universities in the country.  Located just north of downtown Columbus, Ohio State University offers an urban setting where students can explore more than 200 undergraduate majors and over 1,000 on-campus clubs and organizations. Ohio State is known for its Division I football team, which competes in the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State University is one of the biggest in the nation, with an undergraduate population of 46,984 students (Fall 2020).

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Ohio State Admissions

Acceptance Rate 57%
Acceptance Deadline February 1

According to U.S. News, Ohio State University is considered a more selective school. The Ohio State admissions rate is 57% for regular decision applicants and 79% for early action applicants. Fifty percent of students admitted to Ohio State applied with an SAT score between 1210-1430 or an ACT score between 26-32. Although applicants are encouraged to take the ACT or SAT, Ohio State has adopted a test-optional policy for 2022 applicants who don’t have test scores or don’t feel that their scores  reflect their ability to be successful at OSU.

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The OSU regular decision application deadline is February 1st. For those applying early action, the deadline is November 1st. Although not required, Ohio State Admissions recommends all prospective students applying for the Morrill Scholarship Program (MSP), Honors and Scholars Programs, or majors in the College of Engineering to apply by the November 1st deadline.

Along with their application, students applying for need-based financial aid must file the FAFSA. In order to receive maximum aid consideration, applicants must file their FAFSA by Ohio State’s priority date, February 1st. However, applicants who submit the FAFSA after the priority date will still be considered for financial aid.

Ohio State Admissions is looking for students who embody OSU’s values. They are looking for students who are prepared for the academic rigor of the classroom, who are leaders and collaborators, who will foster diversity on campus, and who will use every opportunity available to thrive at OSU. 

All applications are evaluated holistically, meaning Ohio State Admissions will consider every aspect of your application during the admissions process. Your academic achievements, talents, personal interests, and accomplishments will all contribute to your admissions decision. This means Ohio State Admissions will not only review your GPA, college courses, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars but will also take into account your background and your ability to contribute to and engage with a diverse campus community.

Ohio State Cost

As a state school, Ohio State tuition and total cost of attendance will be different depending on where you live. Ohio State tuition and fees vary depending on things like admission cycle and program of study. If you are applying as an Ohio resident, OSU offers their Ohio State Tuition Guarantee, which freezes rates for in-state tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and dining costs for each new entering class. That means your costs will be set for four years at the same rate you pay freshman year.

OSU’s estimated basic cost, which includes Ohio State tuition and room and board, for the 2021-2022 academic year is $25,288 for Ohio residents and $48,371 for non-residents. The Ohio State tuition for non-residents is $35,019, which is more than double the tuition for Ohio residents, $11,936. The cost of room and board cost is $13,352 and is the same for all undergraduate students at OSU’s Columbus campus.

In addition to the Ohio State tuition and room and board fees, students should account for other school-related expenses, such as books, supplies, personal items, and health insurance. The overall cost will vary depending on your family’s financial status. 

To get an idea of what attending Ohio State University might cost, you can use Ohio State’s Net Price Calculator to estimate your expected cost of attendance and the amount of financial aid your family might qualify for.

To help students meet their cost of attendance, Ohio State University offers several different types of financial aid based on both need and merit. These financial aid programs include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. All of these can help mitigate the cost of Ohio State tuition for students. 

Scholarships available to OSU students include university-funded merit-based scholarships, departmental scholarships, and a variety of other internal and external scholarships you can apply to through ScholarshipUniverse. Students who qualify for need-based aid can apply for the Federal Work-Study Program, the Federal Direct Loan Program, and federal, state, and university-funded grants.

Average Cost* $16,845
Average Total Aid Awarded $15,813
Students Receiving Financial Aid 43.31%
*Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.

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Ohio State Academics

Ohio State academics offers more than 12,000 courses across 18 colleges and schools. Their student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Ohio State class size varies depending on course type and level, but about 80% of first-year classes have 50 or fewer students and nearly 30% of all classes have fewer than 20 students. Some the most popular Ohio Sate University majors include Finance, Psychology, Biology, Marketing, Computer Science, and Accounting. As a first year, students receive specific resources through the Ohio State University First Year Experience, which aims to support students as they transition to the university. 

Ohio State academics also offers 200 study abroad programs that span over 50 countries on all 7 continents. Many of OSU’s students choose to participate in these programs. If you are planning to continue your education post-grad, Ohio State academics offers 18 graduate and professional programs. The Ohio State University is an excellent place to begin your undergraduate career, or to further your postsecondary education. 

Student Faculty Ratio 18:1

Ohio State Online

For students interested in online education, Ohio State online offers a variety of programs and courses designed with flexibility in mind. Their programs allow students to pursue a wide range of Ohio State online degrees, including associate, undergraduate, master’s, and doctorates in fields such as nursing, medicine, business, and engineering. If you’re interested in a more specialized and less time-intensive program, the Ohio State online academic certificates can help you master new subjects and gain skills to build a more successful career. Ohio State online also offers students the opportunity to enroll in individual courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Offers Online Courses No

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Ohio State Students

The Ohio State enrollment at their Columbus campus in the fall of 2020 was 61,369, making them one of the top ten largest public universities in the United States. The Ohio State enrollment for fall 2020 was made up of 46,984 undergraduates and 14,385 graduate and professional studies students. Approximately 52% of enrolled students were female and 48% male. A majority (70%) of enrolled students were Ohio residents.

Although many students eventually choose to move off-campus, most first and second-year students are required to live in on-campus housing. If you are interested in a more specialized living arrangement, you can apply to a Learning Community. These Learning Communities group students together on a shared residence hall floor based on common academic, career, cultural, or lifestyle interests.

The Ohio State University Office of Student Life works to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students. With over 40 departments, the Office of Student Life works to connect students with their peers and opportunities for offerings like housing, dining, health services, and inclusion programming. The Student Activities Department helps students get involved on campus. Over half of Ohio State’s student body participates in one or more of their more than 1,400 student organizations

Full-Time Undergrad Enrollment 47,106

Ohio State Related Essay Guides

Ohio State University does not require applicants to submit any additional supplemental essays. However, if you are interested in scholarship opportunities at OSU, you may consider applying to the Morrill Scholarship Program.

The OSU Morrill Scholarship Program is offered through OSU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion for “talented students who are actively engaged in diversity-based leadership, service and social justice activities.”  The Morrill Scholarship is only available for students who are graduating from high school and planning to begin their freshman year during the following fall semester, so you need to decide if you want to apply before you submit your Ohio State University application.

Depending on where you live, you may receive one of three different Morrill Scholarship award levels: distinction (the value of the cost of attendance for both Ohio residents and nonresidents), prominence (the value of in-state tuition plus the nonresident surcharge for nonresidents), and excellence (the value of in-state tuition for Ohio residents). No matter which award level you receive, your scholarship will be available for you to renew all eight semesters of your undergraduate education at OSU.

The Morrill Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to high school seniors who OSU believes will “serve as student ambassadors and champions of scholarship and diversity and actively engage in diversity based-leadership, service and social justice activities.” This program is a great opportunity for passionate students who are looking to make a difference on OSU’s campus and wherever their curiosities lead them.

If you decide you want to apply for the Morrill Scholarship, you’ll need to answer the Morrill Scholarship Program essay prompt alongside your Ohio State University Application. Before you start working on your essay, take a look at our Morrill Scholarship Essay Guide. In the guide, we break down what the scholarship is, who is eligible, what prompt you need to respond to, and tips for writing a strong application essay.

Not sure how to approach the Morrill Scholarship essay? With tips from an Ivy League graduate, CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the OSU Morrill Scholarship essay will show you exactly how to […]

Ohio State Related How to Get Into Guides

Wondering how to get into Ohio State? In short, every potential Ohio State University student needs a personalized strategy. Begin your Ohio State admissions journey with CollegeAdvisor’s How to Get Into Ohio State Guide. Here, you’ll find in-depth information on Ohio State academics, the Ohio State acceptance rate, Ohio State enrollment, and more.

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If you are still undecided about whether the Ohio State University is right for you, take some time to look at our suggested schools. If you are looking for another big state school with a powerhouse Division I football team, check out Florida State University. If both Florida and a Division I football team are important to you, but you’re looking for a slightly smaller school, check out the University of Miami. Both Villanova University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) are ranked closely to the Ohio State University and offer strong degree programs in a smaller university setting. If you are committed to staying in Ohio, consider Case Western Reserve University.

Though these schools are similar to Ohio State University, you will find key differences. From the Ohio State academics to key differences in the Ohio State admissions process, it’s important to remember that no two schools are the same. Look at the Ohio Sate enrollment and the Ohio State class size to determine if OSU offers the college experience you’re looking for, and investigate the Morrill Scholarship Program to help decide if OSU could be right for you. As always, focus on finding the school that is the best fit for your needs.

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