The Ohio State University

Ohio State admitted about 60.6% of applicants in the most recent cycle, drawing roughly 73,000 applications and enrolling around 9,600 first-year students. The overall rate is moderately selective for a school this size, but admission to competitive majors and the honors program runs tighter than the headline number suggests.

Surprisingly, out-of-state applicants are admitted at nearly the same rate as Ohio residents. In the most recent CDS data (Fall 2023), Ohio State admitted 49.1% of in-state applicants and 49.7% of out-of-state applicants — essentially identical, with out-of-state very slightly higher. International applicants were admitted at the highest rate, 57.3%. Geographical residence and state residency are listed as 'considered' factors in Ohio State's holistic review, but the data show no meaningful residency penalty at the point of admission.

Ohio State does not publish an average high school GPA in its Common Data Set, but academic GPA, class rank, and the rigor of your course load are all weighed as very important factors. As a proxy, 64% of enrolled first-years ranked in the top tenth of their high school class and 95% in the top quarter, so competitive applicants carry strong grades in a demanding schedule.

A 1400 is competitive at Ohio State: it sits comfortably in the upper half of enrolled students, near the 75th-percentile mark of 1430. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1280–1430 on the SAT and 26–32 on the ACT, so a 1400 puts you at or above a typical admitted student's score.

Yes — Ohio State is test-optional for the Columbus campus, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Among enrolled first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1280–1430 on the SAT and 26–32 on the ACT. If you choose to submit, scores are weighed as a very important factor alongside GPA, class rank, and course rigor.

Yes. Ohio State rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review — below academics, class rank, and test scores, but on par with recommendations and extracurriculars. A specific, well-revised essay is a real chance to add context to your grades and scores and stand out in a large applicant pool.

Annual tuition and required fees are approximately $13,641 for Ohio residents and $42,423 for out-of-state students. About 37% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average package near $20,872, and the Buckeye Tuition Guarantee locks each entering cohort's tuition and fees for four years.

Business and marketing is the largest field at about 20% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering at 15% and the health professions at 10%. The social and life sciences round out the top areas, and as a land-grant university Ohio State also offers a wide range of agriculture, education, and communication programs.