College Profiles/ Ohio State University
College Profile · Fall 2027 Entry
Ohio State University Admissions: Acceptance Rate, Cost, Financial Aid and Deadlines
Columbus, OH · 46,627 undergraduates. Everything families need to apply to Ohio State University for fall 2027, verified against the school’s own Common Data Set, cost of attendance and admissions pages, with ConnectPrep’s strategic read.
By Jeremy Fine, Founder of ConnectPrep
Updated October 11, 2026 · Data verified against official sources
✓ Every figure cited
Quick answer
Ohio State University admitted 49.2% of 81,377 first-year applicants.[1] The middle 50% SAT range for enrolled first-years is 1360 to 1500.[1] The 2026-27 cost of attendance is $34,142 for in-state students and $64,990 out of state.[2] For fall 2027 entry, deadlines are Early Action Nov 1, Regular Decision Jan 15.[3]
49.2%
Overall admit rate[1]
1360 to 1500
Middle 50% SAT[1]
$64,990
Out-of-state cost, 2026-27[2]
$8.6B
Endowment, FY2025[4]
87.7%
Six-year graduation rate[5]
Ohio State University at a Glance
- Location
- Columbus, OH
- Type
- Public
- Student to faculty ratio
- 16:1[6]
- Endowment
- $8.6 billion (FY2025)[4]
- SAT/ACT, fall 2027
- Required (SAT or ACT; superscored; essay and ACT science not required)[3]
- Application
- Common App[3]
- First-year retention
- 93.9%[7]
The ConnectPrep Take on Ohio State University
The ConnectPrep take
Ohio State reads every application holistically, weighing rigor, performance, test scores, leadership, first-generation status, talent, collaboration, determination, and resilience. It admitted 49.2% of 81,377 applicants, but that rate is the least important number here. Students are admitted to the university first and then considered for the college of their intended major, and competitive engineering majors such as Computer Science and Engineering admit students as pre-majors. Testing is required again for the Columbus campus, and Ohio State superscores; with a middle 50% SAT of 1360 to 1500, we aim for 1500 and suggest a retake below 1430. For Early Action, the last accepted dates are the Oct 3 SAT and Oct 17 ACT. The biggest mistake is applying Regular Decision, because merit scholarships, Morrill, Engineering majors, and Nursing direct admission all run through the Nov 1 Early Action deadline.
What to do this fall
- Apply Early Action by Nov 1; merit scholarships, Morrill, Honors, and Nursing direct admission depend on it.
- Stamps Eminence applicants must submit a separate essay and 2-minute video by Nov 9.
- Make sure the Oct 17 ACT is your student's last test for Early Action, and send scores by the deadline.
- Nursing hopefuls need a top 5% class rank and a 26 ACT or 610 SAT for direct enrollment.
Applying to Ohio State University? Get a free strategy session. We map your student’s round, testing plan, essays and every scholarship deadline for this school.
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Ohio State University Admissions Statistics
| Applicant pool |
Applied |
Admitted |
Admit rate |
| All first-year applicants[1] |
81,377 |
40,025 |
49.2% |
- Yield, the share of admitted students who enrolled, was 20.5%.[1]
Testing and academic profile
| Academic profile of enrolled first-years |
Middle 50% or share |
| SAT composite[1] |
1360 to 1500 |
| ACT composite[1] |
29 to 33 |
| Ranked in top 10% of high school class[8] |
64% |
ConnectPrep score target
Aim for 1500 on the SAT, the 75th percentile here, or 33 on the ACT. A higher score is always better, and the test can be retaken. Not there yet? Take a free practice test and we will build the plan to close the gap.
What Ohio State University looks for
In its own words: Ohio State reviews every application holistically, weighing college prep coursework, high school performance and rigor, test scores, leadership and engaged involvement, first-generation status, outstanding talent, collaboration, determination, and resilience, noting that every application tells a different story.[8]
Ohio State University Application Deadlines 2026-2027
| Round |
Deadline |
Decision |
| Early Action |
Nov 1 |
Dec 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants); Jan 22 (non-Ohio and international) |
| Regular Decision |
Jan 15 |
Mar 5 |
Insider deadlines families miss
These scholarship, honors, program, interview and aid deadlines come from Ohio State University’s own pages. Anything tagged Before RD is due before the Regular Decision deadline.
| Program or rule |
Deadline |
What to know |
University merit, Morrill, President's Ohio Scholarships
Before RD |
Nov 1 (EA) |
Applying Early Action by Nov 1, 2026 is how students are considered for university merit scholarships, the Morrill Scholarship Program and the President's Ohio Scholarship Program.[3] |
Stamps Eminence Scholarship
Before RD |
Nov 9 (EA by Nov 1 required) |
Separate application (Stamps Eminence essay plus 2-minute video) due Nov 9, 2026; must apply to Ohio State by Nov 1 EA. Finalist virtual interviews Jan to Feb 2027 and required in-person Finalist Friday Feb 26, 2027.[9] |
College of Engineering majors and Nursing Direct Admission
Before RD |
Nov 1 (EA) |
Listed among the programs considered through the Nov 1 Early Action application.[3] |
| Honors Program and Scholars Program |
Nov 1 (EA strongly encouraged); final Jan 15 |
Interest indicated on the Common App; applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by Nov 1, with a final deadline of Jan 15 and rolling decisions Jan to Apr.[10] |
| FAFSA and Scholarship Universe |
Feb 1 |
Feb 1, 2027 priority date for FAFSA and scholarship applications in Scholarship Universe.[3] |
See how Ohio State University compares with other colleges in the Midwest deadlines database or the full 2026-2027 college application deadlines hub.
Ohio State University Cost and Financial Aid
| Cost and aid |
Figure |
| Cost of attendance, in-state (2026-2027)[2] |
$34,142 |
| Cost of attendance, out-of-state (2026-2027)[2] |
$64,990 |
Columbus campus first-year living on campus, Ohio resident; non-resident adds $30,220 non-resident fees (tuition and fees $44,254) for a total of $64,990.[2]
- Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship covers full cost of attendance for Pell-eligible Ohio residents who demonstrate academic merit (176 awarded per year).[1]
What families actually pay: net price by income
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus the average grants and scholarships for first-year in-state students receiving aid, by family income. It comes from federal data, which runs a year or two behind the school’s current cost figures.[6]
| Family income |
Average net price per year |
| $0 to $30,000 |
$4,885 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 |
$5,751 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 |
$9,807 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 |
$20,461 |
| Over $110,000 |
$27,359 |
| All aided students |
$17,339 |
Academics and Majors at Ohio State University
Signature programs
Morrill Scholarship Program
Ohio State's flagship merit scholarship program; the university states test scores are not used in selecting Morrill Scholars.[1]
University Honors
More than 200 honors courses, faculty engagement, and an honors thesis; invitations offered December through March.[1]
Scholars Programs
16 one-year residential learning communities open to first-year students, who rank their top 3 preferences; invitations December through April.[1]
Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship
Covers full cost of attendance for selected Pell-eligible Ohio students.[1]
Choosing a major and getting in
Students are admitted to the university first, then considered for enrollment in the college of their intended major. Engineering: 10 majors open for direct enrollment; Aerospace, Biomedical, Computer Science and Engineering/Computer and Information Science, and Mechanical remain competitive and admit students as pre-majors. Nursing direct enrollment requires top 5% of class and 26 ACT or 610 SAT, with 340 offers and 126 enrolled for Autumn 2025.[8][1]
Special admission paths
- Early Action (Nov 1) for Columbus; required for Stamps/Morrill consideration timelines.
- University Honors invitation.
- Scholars Programs invitation.
- Nursing direct enrollment.
- Engineering direct enrollment vs. pre-major.
- Regional campus start with transition to Columbus.
Ohio State University Retention and Graduation Rates
| Outcome |
Figure |
| First-year students who returned for sophomore year[7] |
93.9% |
| Graduated within six years[5] |
87.7% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting college[6] |
$60,409 |
| Median federal loan debt of graduates[6] |
$19,976 |
| Undergraduates receiving Pell Grants[6] |
20% |
Make Ohio State University a realistic goal
ConnectPrep builds the full plan: the right round, a score target and test schedule, essays that sound like your student, and every scholarship and program deadline on one calendar. Start with a free consultation or a free practice test.
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Ohio State University FAQs
What is the Ohio State University acceptance rate?
Ohio State University admitted 49.2% of first-year applicants (40,025 of 81,377).
When are the Ohio State University application deadlines for 2026-27?
For students entering in fall 2027: Early Action Nov 1; Regular Decision Jan 15. 3 scholarship, honors or program deadlines come before Regular Decision; see the insider deadlines table on this page.
How much does Ohio State University cost?
The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $34,142 for in-state students and $64,990 for out-of-state students.
What SAT score do you need for Ohio State University?
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1360 to 1500 on the SAT and 29 to 33 on the ACT. ConnectPrep advises aiming for 1500, the 75th percentile. Testing policy for fall 2027 entry: Required (SAT or ACT; superscored; essay and ACT science not required).
Is Ohio State test optional?
No, not for the Columbus campus. Ohio State reinstated the ACT or SAT requirement for new first-year applicants beginning with the 2026 admissions cycle, and it superscores. The middle 50% is 1360 to 1500 on the SAT and 29 to 33 on the ACT. For Early Action, the last accepted dates are the Oct 3 SAT and Oct 17 ACT.
Can you get direct admission to nursing at Ohio State?
Yes, but it is selective. Nursing direct enrollment requires a top 5% class rank and a 26 ACT or 610 SAT, and for Autumn 2025 Ohio State made 340 offers, with 126 students enrolling. Nursing direct admission is considered through the Nov 1 Early Action application, so your student should apply early.
About the author
Jeremy Fine
Jeremy Fine founded ConnectPrep in 2013 and brings more than 20 years of experience in education, spanning test preparation, college advising and academic program management. He holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh.
ConnectPrep is based in Westport, Connecticut, and works with students from kindergarten through graduate school, in person and online. Meet the team.
This profile is an independent ConnectPrep resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ohio State University. Figures come from the sources listed above as published when checked in October 2026; the Common Data Set year is noted where used. Policies and costs change, so confirm with the school before applying.
