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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students to Ohio State typically demonstrate strong academic preparation across standardized testing measures. The middle 50% of enrolled students score between 1330-1480 on the SAT, with a median of 1407. SAT Math scores range from 680-760, while SAT Verbal scores span 650-720, indicating balanced strength across both testing areas. ACT scores for the middle 50% range from 29-32, with a median of 29. These ranges place Ohio State well above the peer median SAT of 1198, with admitted students scoring 209 points higher on average than comparable institutions. Students scoring within the 1330-1480 SAT range or 29-32 ACT range are academically competitive for admission and align with the typical enrolled student profile. Those scoring below the 25th percentile (1330 SAT, 29 ACT) should expect to face more competitive evaluation but are not automatically excluded, as 25% of enrolled students score in this range. Students scoring above the 75th percentile (1480 SAT, 32 ACT) demonstrate academic credentials exceeding three-quarters of enrolled students. Prospective students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college application strategy and determining fit with Ohio State's academic expectations.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Ohio State enrolls a moderately diverse student body across economic and educational backgrounds. The university serves 19.4% Pell-eligible students, indicating nearly one in five enrolled students comes from lower-income families eligible for federal grant aid. First-generation college students represent 26.2% of enrollment, meaning more than one-quarter of students are the first in their families to attend college. Transfer students comprise 29.2% of enrollment, reflecting substantial opportunity for students beginning at community colleges or other institutions. This composition suggests Ohio State balances access for underrepresented students with its selective admission standards, though Pell and first-generation shares fall below many public flagships. The substantial transfer population indicates pathway opportunities for students who may not gain direct admission as freshmen. Students from first-generation backgrounds should recognize they will join a significant community of peers with similar experiences, comprising more than one-quarter of the student body. Lower-income students should consider the 19.4% Pell share when evaluating social and economic fit, understanding they will find community among similar students while also engaging with more economically advantaged peers.
Ohio State's 50.8% admission rate makes it moderately competitive for most applicants. Students seeking similar outcomes with different admission profiles should consider these alternatives.
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Ohio State demonstrates strong institutional support for degree completion across student populations. The university maintains a 94.1% freshman retention rate, significantly above the peer median of 83.7%, indicating effective first-year student support and engagement. Overall graduation rates reach 87.7%, substantially exceeding the peer median of 65.9% and reflecting the university's commitment to degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at 60.4%, creating a 27.3 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This gap suggests that while Ohio State supports degree completion broadly, lower-income students face additional challenges that impact graduation outcomes. The large completion gap indicates that Pell-eligible students should carefully consider support systems and financial planning when evaluating Ohio State. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional frameworks for academic success, given retention and completion rates that exceed most comparable institutions. Prospective students should view these outcomes as indicators of the supportive academic environment they will experience, while lower-income students should plan for additional financial and academic support to bridge completion gaps. The university's high overall completion rates demonstrate effective degree completion support for students who align with institutional academic expectations.
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