verifiedCampus View

Ohio State University-Main Campus

location_onColumbus, OH

PublicCity: LargeYellow Ribbon
open_in_newVisit Site
61%
Acceptance Rate
45,638
Total Students
$40k
Sticker Price
88%
Grad Rate
$60k
Median Salary

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Data as of May 2026
🎯Can I Get In?
61%
Moderately Selective
Acceptance Rate
Tests Required
61% accept rateNat'l avg: 66%
SAT Range1310–1480
ACT Range28–32
GPA Avg3.8
groups45,638 students enrolled
schoolPublic · City: Large
eventEarly Action: November 1
eventRegular: February 1
Your MatchPlus Feature
61% acceptance rate. Compare your scores against admitted students — is this a Match, Reach, or Safety for you?
💰Can I Afford It?
Sticker Price
$40,022
Net Price
Not reported
$19,976Avg Debt
≈ $166/mo for 10 yrs
Avg salary after graduation$60,409/yr
Debt-to-income ratio33% (healthy)
Avg debt below national average ($29,400)
Your Net Price EstimatePlus Feature
Most families overpay for college. See what Ohio State University-Main Campus actually costs for your income level.
💜Why Go Here?
Graduation Rate88%
Nat'l avg: 62%
Retention Rate94%
Nat'l avg: 68%
$60k
Avg Salary
↑ Above $46k avg
18:1
Faculty Ratio
Average
45.6k
Students
Large
schoolPublic · City: Large
Your Fit ScorePlus Feature
With a 88% graduation rate, Ohio State University-Main Campus beats most colleges. See if it fits your goals.
🏆How Does It Stack Up?
#40
US News
Top 50
#37
Forbes
Top 50
Deal Score88
Exceptional Value
diversity_126% First-Gen Students
trending_up100% Loan Repayment Rate
account_balance20% Pell Grant Recipients
CD Quality ScoresPlus Feature
See how Ohio State University-Main Campus ranks on value, outcomes, and student satisfaction with our proprietary analysis
Get Plus →
156Days
scheduleApplication Countdown
Early Decision deadline is Nov 1, 2026
You have time to research and prepare thoroughly.
auto_awesomeAt a Glance
Hey there! If you are looking for that classic, high-energy American college experience, Ohio State University in Columbus is pretty much the gold standard. With 44,617 students on the main campus, it is a place where big is an understatement—it is an entire ecosystem. What makes OSU really stand out is how it manages to feel like a community despite its massive size. While many huge public universities struggle with student retention, Ohio State boasts an impressive 88 percent four-year graduation rate, which tells you that they have the resources and support systems to make sure you actually cross the finish line. Academically, you are looking at a powerhouse. Whether you are aiming for the Fisher College of Business, their top-tier engineering programs, or a career in the health sciences fueled by their massive medical center, the research opportunities here are endless. It is a place where you can be a part of cutting-edge discoveries while still being an undergraduate. The culture at OSU is defined by one word: Buckeye. The school spirit is legendary, and on game days, the entire city of Columbus turns scarlet and gray. But there is so much more than just football. Being in the heart of Columbus, Ohio's capital, gives you a massive professional edge. You are steps away from internships with Fortune 500 companies, the state government, and a thriving arts and food scene in the Short North area. Columbus is one of the fastest-growing hubs in the Midwest, which means your career networking starts long before you graduate. On campus, there are over 1,000 student organizations, so whether you want to join a professional fraternity or a niche hobby group, you will find your people. It is a vibrant, urban-adjacent campus where you never run out of things to do or new people to meet. With an acceptance rate of 51 percent, it is a selective but attainable goal for hard-working students who want to be part of something legendary. For Ohio residents, the tuition of $12,859 is an incredible value for a world-class education, while out-of-state students pay $38,365 to join this global network. The student who thrives at Ohio State is someone who is proactive and eager to dive into a sea of opportunities. If you are the type of person who loves a fast-paced environment, wants the resources of a global research institution, and craves that electric atmosphere of a Big Ten campus, then Ohio State is calling your name. You have to be willing to navigate a large system, but the payoff is a resume that carries weight across the world and a network of alumni who are fiercely loyal to their fellow Buckeyes. It is not just a school; it is a life-changing four-year journey in a city that truly supports its students.
Deal Score
87.56
/ 100
Excellent Value
Based on cost, earnings, & outcomes
Academics & Admissions
Faculty-Student Ratio
18:1
Test Score Ranges
1395
SAT
/
3.8
GPA
Avg Class Size
35
40% under 20 students
Application Deadline
February 1
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price$40,022
Room & Board$14,738
Avg Grad Debt$19,976
Popular Majors
Computer Engineering$83k/yr
Applied Mathematics$83k/yr
Computer and Information Sciences, General$82k/yr
Industrial Engineering$81k/yr
Mechanical Engineering$79k/yr
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$79k/yr
How to Apply
EAEarly ActionNovember 1
RDRegular DecisionFebruary 1
boltThe Vibe

"Hey there! If you are looking for that classic, high-energy American college experience, Ohio State University in Columbus is pretty much the gold standard. With 44,617 students on the main campus, it is a place where big is an understatement—it is an entire ecosystem. What makes OSU really stand out is how it manages to feel like a community despite its massive size. While many huge public universities struggle with student retention, Ohio State boasts an impressive 88 percent four-year graduation rate, which tells you that they have the resources and support systems to make sure you actually cross the finish line. Academically, you are looking at a powerhouse. Whether you are aiming for the Fisher College of Business, their top-tier engineering programs, or a career in the health sciences fueled by their massive medical center, the research opportunities here are endless. It is a place where you can be a part of cutting-edge discoveries while still being an undergraduate. The culture at OSU is defined by one word: Buckeye. The school spirit is legendary, and on game days, the entire city of Columbus turns scarlet and gray. But there is so much more than just football. Being in the heart of Columbus, Ohio's capital, gives you a massive professional edge. You are steps away from internships with Fortune 500 companies, the state government, and a thriving arts and food scene in the Short North area. Columbus is one of the fastest-growing hubs in the Midwest, which means your career networking starts long before you graduate. On campus, there are over 1,000 student organizations, so whether you want to join a professional fraternity or a niche hobby group, you will find your people. It is a vibrant, urban-adjacent campus where you never run out of things to do or new people to meet. With an acceptance rate of 51 percent, it is a selective but attainable goal for hard-working students who want to be part of something legendary. For Ohio residents, the tuition of $12,859 is an incredible value for a world-class education, while out-of-state students pay $38,365 to join this global network. The student who thrives at Ohio State is someone who is proactive and eager to dive into a sea of opportunities. If you are the type of person who loves a fast-paced environment, wants the resources of a global research institution, and craves that electric atmosphere of a Big Ten campus, then Ohio State is calling your name. You have to be willing to navigate a large system, but the payoff is a resume that carries weight across the world and a network of alumni who are fiercely loyal to their fellow Buckeyes. It is not just a school; it is a life-changing four-year journey in a city that truly supports its students."

9
Rigor
8
Career
10
Social
9
Value
Signature StrengthGlobal Impact

Ohio State University-Main Campus
Innovation Engine

A Tier-1 Research Powerhouse driving global discovery. Undergraduate students work alongside world-class faculty to solve humanity's toughest challenges.

attach_money
Funding
Federal + Private
science
Discovery
Research Centers
public
Impact
Patents & Innovations
R1
Carnegie Classification
person_search
Undergrad Research
Available Freshman Year
verifiedCollege Decoded Grades
CD Exclusive
B+
Academics
B+
Value
B-
Diversity
C
Outcomes
B
Social
C+
Housing
See your real chances and true cost at Ohio State University-Main Campus