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Ohio State University-Main Campus
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in OH. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$12,859
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
50.8%
Selectivity Level
Graduation Rate
87.9%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$60,409
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
Ohio State University-Main Campus is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Columbus, OH. With a competitive tuition profile of $12,859, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 87.9% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
Admissions Intel
SAT Score Range
ACT Score Range
Acceptance Rate
50.8%
What You Need to Apply
Application requirements for Ohio State University-Main Campus
GPA: 3.76 – 3.8 (unweighted mid-50%)
Standardized Tests
SAT: 1330 – 1480 (mid-50%)
ACT: 29 – 32 (mid-50%)
1 Essay Required
Common App personal essay (650 words). No supplemental essay required.
Recommendation Letters Optional (up to 2)
Optional, up to 2 via Common App
Required Documents
- • Common App
- • Official high school transcript
- • Official SAT/ACT scores
- • Personal essay
Key Deadlines
Early Action
November 1, 2025
Regular Decision
January 15, 2026
EA strongly recommended for merit scholarships and honors
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
February 1, 2026
File FAFSA by this date to maximize aid eligibility.
Last verified: April 12, 2026. Source: Ohio State Undergraduate Admissions. Always verify requirements directly with Ohio State University-Main Campus before applying.
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 4-Year Cost
$51,436
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
1.7 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$30,409
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$252,654
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$556,744
Long-term projected return on your education investment
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Ohio State University-Main Campus is $19,976.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
0
Burglary
0
Theft
0
Assault
0
Robbery
0
Rape
0
Arson
0
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$12,859
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
94.1%
Success
87.9%
In-State Cost
$12,859
Age 25+ Students
5.6%
Carnegie Class
R1: Doctoral — Very High Research
Working at 6yr
12,144 students
Security Benchmark
Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)
Violent Offenses
PER 100KProperty Crimes
PER 100KStats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.
Living In Columbus
Off-Campus Market Estimator
Studio
$970
Monthly Average
1 Bedroom
$1,065
Monthly Average
2 Bedrooms
$1,302
Monthly Average
3 Bedrooms
$
Monthly Average
Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the Columbus metropolitan area.