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 among the best Ohio 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 46,123 students (Fall 2022).

Check out CollegeAdvisor.com resources on Ohio State University here.

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 53% for regular decision applicants and 59.3% for early action applicants. Fifty percent of students admitted to Ohio State applied with an SAT score between 1340-1480 or an ACT score between 28-33. Although applicants are encouraged to take the ACT or SAT, Ohio State has adopted a test-optional policy for 2024-25 applicants who don’t have test scores or don’t feel that their scores reflect their ability to be successful at OSU.

Want to learn more about acceptance rates? Check out our expert guide!

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 2023-2024 academic year is $27,241 for Ohio residents and $52,747 for non-residents. The Ohio State tuition for non-residents is $38,365, which is more than double the tuition for Ohio residents, $12,859. The cost of room and board cost is $14,382 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.

Want personalized guidance from an advisor who's helped our clients get into Ohio State?

Schedule a free strategy consultation with our expert network.

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. Still, about 80% of first-year classes have 50 or fewer students and nearly 30% of all classes have fewer than 20 students. Some of the most popular Ohio Sate University majors include Finance, Psychology, Biology, Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, and Biology. 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

Our clients got into Ohio State last admissions cycle. Are you next?

Our advisors graduated from the nation’s best universities and know what it takes to stand out in the admissions process.

Ohio State Students

The Ohio State enrollment at their Columbus campus in the fall of 2022 was 60,540, making them among the largest public universities in the United States. The Ohio State enrollment for fall 2022 was made up of 46,123 undergraduates and 11,198 graduate and professional studies students. Approximately 52% of enrolled students were female and 48% male. A majority (about 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 Advisors

If you are looking for additional assistance to help you complete your Ohio State University application, look no further than our OSU advising team. Our OSU advising resources are here to provide one-on-one guidance during your college application experience. With their extensive knowledge of OSU’s application process, our advisors will help you gather the required application materials and help you craft your essays. This personalized approach will help you meet your fullest potential and help you maximize your chances at Ohio State admissions. No matter your experience or background, our OSU advising team can help you feel confident through every step of the application process, from figuring out Ohio State tuition costs to writing the Morrill Scholarship essay.

Hi there! My name is Madeline Schloss and I am a former admission officer and college counselor. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and then earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from The Ohio State University. After graduating, I worked on the international admission team at Ohio State and then at Northwestern University, supporting students through the application process, reviewing thousands of applications, and learning the ins and outs of the university admission landscape. I then switched sides of the desk, working as a college counselor at a high school in Guatemala, prior to joining the CollegeAdvisor.com team. My experiences at two very different universities, and on the other side of the admission desk, have given me a unique insight into the university admission space. Throughout my career, I've had the pleasure of working with domestic and international students applying for both freshman and transfer admission to universities in the US and abroad. I can't wait to support you and your family in the college admission process as your Admission Officer through CollegeAdvisor.com!

Also Accepted to

Ohio State

I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Kent State University where I was a University Founders Scholar and graduated at the top of my class with a 4.0 GPA. I earned my M.A. in Counselor Education from The Ohio State University where I was a University Fellow and served as a Graduate Assistant supporting undergraduate students with major and career exploration. I have been licensed in the state of Ohio as a K-12 School Counselor for the past 14 years. Additionally, I am a graduate of the Independent Educational Consultants Summer Training Institute, an intensive, hands-on, training program designed for those seeking to become college planning consultants. Most recently, I earned a certificate as an International University Advocate through the National Association for College Admission Counseling to better support my students who are wishing to explore international options when applying to colleges. In addition to my formal training, I love staying on top of the latest data and trends in college admissions (what can I say? I’m a data geek at heart!), which is why I can often be found poring over the Common Data Set or listening to admissions webinars that I’ve converted into podcasts. In my over 15 years working with high school students, I’ve served in a variety of roles and settings including working as a school counselor in a private high school, and, for the past 5 years, serving as a college planning consultant to students across the globe. I possess a great amount of passion for the college planning journey and truly love sharing my knowledge and expertise with students and their families. I especially enjoy guiding students in developing an application that best showcases their abilities and helps them stand out in a sea of applicants. Over the years, I’ve gained experience in applying to a vast array of programs and majors (from Aeronautical Engineering to Zoology!) at nearly every kind of university imaginable. I also consider myself to be a college-funding ninja of sorts after having helped countless families secure both traditional and innovative college funding sources and having personally completed my undergraduate and graduate programs with nearly no debt. My greatest joy in all of this is being able to turn what can oftentimes be an overwhelming process into a more manageable (and maybe even a little exciting!) experience for my students and families.

Hello! My name is Kate (she/her) and I am so thrilled to be a part of your college search and application process. I hold an honors B.A. from St. Lawrence University, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2015. I majored in Government and double-minored in Education and African Studies. While in college, I worked as a campus ambassador/tour guide, studied abroad in Kenya, and served as the President of a community service organization focused on reducing food waste and fighting food insecurity on college campuses and in food deserts called the Campus Kitchens Project. After college, I spent two years working as an Admissions Counselor at Hiram College, a small liberal arts school in Northern Ohio, specializing in experiential learning. In 2018, I received my Master's in Education, with a concentration in Higher Education, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While completing this program, I worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Admissions Office, and served as an advisor to five university chapter of the Campus Kitchens Project. Below, please find some relevant examples from Master's coursework:


-Inventing the Future: Building Connections from School to Career
-The Economics of Higher Education
-The College Admissions Process: Practice, Policy and Research

-Data and Decision-Making in Higher Education

After receiving my Master's, I worked as an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission at Northeastern University for 3 years. I evaluated over 3,000 applications per cycle, participated in committee evaluations (Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision), and oversaw both domestic and international recruitment territories. While in this role, I also participated in a number of college readiness workshops and informational panels. I was also involved with the Torch Scholars program, a scholarship program for historically underrepresented, low-income students. Currently, I work full-time as the Assistant Director of College Counseling at a preparatory school in Boston. I am excited to use my professional experience from a variety of institutions, as well as my academic training to help students find their perfect college match!

Hi! My name is Jessica Scott, and I am a seasoned recruitment professional with over 15 years of experience helping students of all backgrounds go through the college application process. After graduating from The Ohio State University, I served two years in AmeriCorps where my passion for helping fellow first-generation college students achieve their dreams began. I spent six years in the Undergraduate Admissions office at Ohio State where I helped thousands of high school students through the application process, lead application and essay workshops, and reviewed thousands of applications for our competitive admissions process. I transitioned to the College of Engineering where I spent over three years helping aspiring engineering students understand the program and how to find the majors that fit their career goals. I am excited to share my knowledge and passion to help you and your family navigate this process and find the right school for you!

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.

Ohio State Related Blog Posts

Top Public Universities – Introduction America’s top public universities offer incredible research opportunities, all-star facilities, vast alumni networks, and more. They also offer lower tuition rates to in-state students, making […]

Best Nursing Schools The best nursing schools are located across the country, from Pennsylvania to Texas. Each of the top nursing schools offers different educational pathways to nursing. As a […]

Best Colleges in the Midwest Considering applying to any of the best colleges in the Midwest? There are many reasons why students might want to study in America’s Heartland. The […]

Best Colleges in Ohio: Introduction  Are you looking for a public or private college in the Midwest with access to major metropolitan centers? If your ideal college location matches this […]

College Enrollment Guide So you’re past applications and have moved on to the exciting process of college enrollment! Well, congratulations. Choosing what school you’re going to attend is an exciting […]

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.

Ohio State Campus Videos