Federal data, no marketing spin COLLEGES 50 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD
CAMPUS · COLUMBUS, OH · PUBLIC

Ohio State University Acceptance Rate

Ohio State University-Main Campus
50.8%
ACCEPT
Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For Ohio State University, the gap is real: a $30,305 published sticker, but families actually pay about $13,653/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.
50
FIT
SAFETY
Ohio State University is a safety for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
50.8%
of 70,028 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$60,409
across all majors
01

Ohio State University at a Glance

65,551
Total Enrollment
$19,976
Median Debt
19.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Ohio State University

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading650720685
SAT Math680760720
SAT Total133014801405
ACT Composite293230

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received70,028
Students Admitted35,588
Students Enrolled8,062
Yield Rate22.7%

Ohio State University Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #43 2025
QS World University Rankings #120 2025
THE World University Rankings #85 2025
Show 10-Year US News Ranking History
US News National Universities
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
#52 #54 #54 #56 #54 #53 #49 #49 #43 #43

US News National Universities: #52 (2016) → #43 (2025) ↑ 9 spots

Ohio State University Admissions Overview

Ohio State University-Main Campus is a public university in Columbus, OH with 65,551 students. At 50.8% acceptance, it's selective but accessible to students who meet the academic benchmarks. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Engineering, and Health Professions.

Full NameOhio State University-Main Campus
LocationColumbus, OH 43201
TypePublic
Websiteosu.edu/
Total Enrollment65,551
Undergrad Enrollment49,382
Female Students50.2%

Is Ohio State University a Reach, Match, or Safety?

Ohio State University accepts 50.8% of applicants, making it accessible for most qualified students. If you meet the basic academic requirements, this is likely a Safety school for you.

Your ProfileOhio State University Is...What to Do
Meet academic requirements Safety Strong odds — apply with confidence
Slightly below average Match Apply — still realistic

Ohio State University True Cost by Family Income

19% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Ohio State enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $4,885 $19,540
$30-48k $5,751 $23,004
$48-75k $9,807 $39,228
$75-110k $20,461 $81,844
$110k+ $27,359 $109,436

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$14,272
Total Cost of Attendance$30,305

Want to see how Ohio State University stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at Ohio State University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Business/Marketing
19.6%
Engineering
14.8%
Health Professions
9.7%
Biological Sciences
9.2%
Social Sciences
8.9%
Best Majors at Ohio State University →

{sn} Student Demographics

White
62.6%
Black/African American
8.2%
Hispanic/Latino
5.4%
Asian
9.1%
International
7.0%

How to Get Into Ohio State University

Ohio State is a Safety school for most students who meet the basic requirements. Don't let the higher acceptance rate fool you — Ohio State still offers strong programs and outcomes.

1405
Target SAT Score
30
Target ACT Score
50.8%
Acceptance Rate
70,028
Total Applicants

What Ohio State University Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Important
Standardized Test Scores Important
Application Essay Important
Recommendation Considered
Extracurricular Activities Important
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Considered
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at Ohio State University by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

Ohio State University Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Ohio State University EA admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early ActionNov 1
Regular DecisionJan 15
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Feb 1
Early Action: Ohio State University offers non-binding Early Action. Apply early for an earlier decision without committing — you can still compare offers.

See Ohio State University alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

19.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$19,976
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$51,438
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio State University

What is Ohio State's acceptance rate?
Ohio State has an acceptance rate of 50.8%, making it accessible to most qualified applicants. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for Ohio State?
The middle 50% SAT range at Ohio State is 1330-1480. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 29-32. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at Ohio State?
The most popular majors at Ohio State by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (19.6%), Engineering (14.8%), Health Professions (9.7%), Biological Sciences (9.2%), Social Sciences (8.9%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
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Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Ohio State University is not affiliated with NextColleges.