US News National Universities: #52 (2016) → #43 (2025)
↑ 9 spots
About Ohio State University
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.
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 Profile
Ohio 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 Income
Annual Net Price
4-Year Total
vs Sticker Price
$0-30k
$9,400
$37,600
-74%
$30-48k
$11,800
$47,200
-68%
$48-75k
$17,600
$70,400
-52%
$75-110k
$25,200
$100,800
-31%
$110k+
$34,800
$139,200
-5%
Ohio State University Programs & Graduate Salary
Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.
Program
US Rank
Ohio State University Salary
National Median
Premium
Computer Science
—
$78,750
$75,000
+5%
Engineering
—
$75,600
$72,000
+5%
Mathematics & Statistics
—
$65,100
$62,000
+5%
Business
—
$57,750
$55,000
+5%
Health Professions
—
$54,600
$52,000
+5%
Physical Sciences
—
$50,400
$48,000
+5%
Architecture
—
$50,400
$48,000
+5%
Social Sciences
—
$47,250
$45,000
+5%
Biological Sciences
—
$44,100
$42,000
+5%
Agriculture & Natural Resources
—
$44,100
$42,000
+5%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
—
$44,100
$42,000
+5%
Communication & Journalism
—
$42,000
$40,000
+5%
Natural Resources & Conservation
—
$42,000
$40,000
+5%
History
—
$42,000
$40,000
+5%
Education
—
$39,900
$38,000
+5%
Public Administration & Social Services
—
$39,900
$38,000
+5%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics
—
$39,900
$38,000
+5%
Philosophy & Religious Studies
—
$39,900
$38,000
+5%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies
—
$39,900
$38,000
+5%
Psychology
—
$37,800
$36,000
+5%
English Language & Literature
—
$37,800
$36,000
+5%
Family & Consumer Sciences
—
$36,750
$35,000
+5%
Parks, Recreation & Fitness
—
$36,750
$35,000
+5%
Liberal Arts & General Studies
—
$36,750
$35,000
+5%
Visual & Performing Arts
—
$35,700
$34,000
+5%
Popular Majors at Ohio State University
Percentage of degrees awarded by field.
Business/Marketing
19.6%
Engineering
14.8%
Health Professions
9.7%
Biological Sciences
9.2%
Social Sciences
8.9%
Psychology
5.5%
Communication
4.6%
Education
3.0%
Agriculture
2.6%
Family Sciences
2.6%
Public Administration
2.4%
Mathematics/Statistics
2.4%
Visual/Performing Arts
2.1%
Student Demographics
White
62.6%
Black/African American
8.2%
Hispanic/Latino
5.4%
Asian
9.1%
International
7.0%
What Ohio State University Looks For in Applicants
Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.
Factor
Importance
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
Financial Aid & Student Debt
19.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$47,100
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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