Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State admits approximately 50.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Ohio State in the Moderately Selective category, representing balanced accessibility with academic standards.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that Ohio State is more selective than typical large public research universities, accepting 27.3 percentage points fewer applicants than similar institutions. This selectivity level means that students with strong academic credentials have reasonable admission prospects, while those below the academic profile may face more competitive evaluation.

Students should expect Ohio State to evaluate applications holistically, considering test scores, grades, extracurricular involvement, and other factors beyond pure statistics. For prospective students, this admission rate suggests building a college list that includes both more and less selective options alongside Ohio State.

The university's position as a flagship public institution means it attracts strong applicant pools from both in-state and out-of-state students, creating consistent competition for admission spots across academic programs.

Ohio State's published cost of attendance is $29,320 per year for in-state students, including $12,859 in tuition, $14,272 for room and board, and $1,030 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $38,365.

However, the average student pays $18,292 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,028 from the sticker price. This net price falls $2,702 below the peer median of $15,590, making Ohio State more expensive than comparable institutions.

Financial aid effectiveness varies significantly by family income, with the lowest-income students receiving the most substantial support. The university's financial aid profile reflects standard public university patterns, with need-based aid concentrated among lower-income families while middle and upper-middle-income families face higher net costs.

Students should expect net prices to vary substantially based on family financial circumstances, with the most significant aid flowing to families earning below $48,000 annually. The gap between sticker price and average net price indicates that most students receive some form of financial assistance, though out-of-state students typically face higher overall costs even after aid.

Ohio State graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $51,438 six years after enrollment to $56,186 at eight years and $60,409 at ten years. This represents 17.4% growth from the six-year mark, indicating steady career advancement for graduates.

These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 15,099 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Earnings span from $39,834 at the 25th percentile to $88,954 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the university's diverse program portfolio and varied career pathways.

Low-income graduates earn $49,900, demonstrating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Approximately 24.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.

While graduates earn nearly identical amounts to peer institutions, the university's comprehensive offerings and strong alumni network support career development across multiple industries and sectors.

Ohio State offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Computer Engineering leads institutional outcomes, ranking #22 nationally and #1 in Ohio, producing 421 graduates with median earnings of $94,224 and a strong value score of 82.9.

Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #27 nationally and #1 in Ohio, graduating 741 students with median earnings of $82,036 and an excellent value score of 87.3. Digital Marketing ranks #12 nationally and #1 in Ohio, with 505 graduates earning $69,870 and achieving the highest value score of 95.0.

Accounting Technology ranks #20 nationally and #1 in Ohio, graduating 451 students with median earnings of $77,705. Psychology represents the largest cohort with 550 graduates annually, while Biology graduates 506 students with median earnings of $51,478.

Multiple programs achieve #1 rankings within Ohio, demonstrating the university's comprehensive academic strengths across disciplines.