Top Public · Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University
Moderately selective. 53.5% acceptance rate.
Calculate your Ohio State oddsHow hard is it to get into Ohio State?
Ohio State is moderately selective, with a 53.5% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1290–1480 on the SAT and 28–33 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.
Quick Facts
| Acceptance rate | 53.5% |
| SAT (mid-50%) | 1290–1480 |
| ACT (mid-50%) | 28–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $36,722 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $21,430 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 47,678 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 88.4% |
| Median earnings (10 yrs after entry) | $70,200 |
| Type | Public · Top Public |
| Setting | Large urban |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
Ohio State's 53.5% acceptance rate puts it in the moderately selective tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 1290–1480 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1480, and a quarter scored below 1290. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.
That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.
Personalized estimate
What are your actual odds at Ohio State?
Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.
Run the calculatorBeyond the Numbers
Ohio State is best known for Fisher College of Business, strong engineering and medical pipelines, and a flagship Big Ten campus. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
Cost & Financial Aid
The published cost of attendance at Ohio State is $36,722 per year before aid. After grants and scholarships, the average student pays $21,430per year. The sticker price isn't the number that matters for most families.
Outcomes
Federal data on what happens after enrollment at Ohio State:
Graduation rate
88.4%
6-year (federal IPEDS)
Median earnings
$70,200
10 yrs after entry
21.0% of students receive a Pell Grant (federal need-based aid), and 39.0%take federal loans. These rates are useful proxies for the school's socioeconomic mix and how much most families end up borrowing.
Ohio State essay tools
Score, brainstorm, or revise Ohio State essays with tools tuned to Ohio State's prompts.
Ohio State vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Top Public schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State This page | 53.5% | 1290–1480 | $21,430 |
| UC Berkeley | 11.0% | — | $13,481 |
| UCLA | 9.0% | — | $12,548 |
| UC San Diego | 26.7% | — | $12,470 |
| Michigan | 15.6% | 1360–1530 | $13,138 |
| UNC | 15.3% | 1390–1530 | $11,655 |
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Ohio State?
Ohio State is moderately selective. The most recently published acceptance rate is 53.5%. Admitted students score in the 1290–1480 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.
What SAT score do I need for Ohio State?
Admitted students at Ohio State typically score between 1290 and 1480 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1480, and a quarter scored below 1290. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.
How much does Ohio State cost?
The published cost of attendance at Ohio State is $36,722 per year before financial aid. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,430. Most highly selective schools meet 100% of demonstrated need for families below specific income thresholds.
What is the graduation rate at Ohio State?
88.4% of students at Ohio State graduate within 6 years (the standard federal graduation rate metric).
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with Ohio State's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- Ohio State Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect Ohio State's most recent publicly published admit cycle.