Ohio State University-Main Campus
#7 Best Engineering Colleges in OhioBottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 21.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.2 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Engineering Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $21.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,397,575.
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What The Data Says
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
Earnings 48% above the national college median.
A 88% graduation rate — 54% above the national average.
Every $1 invested returns $21.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Ohio State University Matters
Ohio State University-Main Campus is a public research university in Columbus, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 45,638
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Ohio State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 61% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1310–1480. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,339 a year after grants and scholarships — 1% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $60,409 ten years after enrolling — 48% above the typical college, against $19,976 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.57 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 45,600 students, Ohio State University-Main Campus is a vibrant place for those seeking a large, diverse community. It attracts students who are eager to explore a variety of fields, especially in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, and Social Sciences. The acceptance rate of 61% means there's a good chance for students to join this dynamic environment, where the graduation rate stands impressively at 88%.
Looking at life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates earn a median salary of $60,409 within ten years of completing their degree. This level of income can make a significant difference in improving one’s quality of life, particularly when the cost of attending is manageable. With 20% of students receiving Pell Grants, Ohio State shows a commitment to supporting those from lower-income backgrounds, providing pathways for upward mobility.
When it comes to the financial aspects, the net price after aid is approximately $17,339, which keeps college within reach for many families. The median debt load of $19,976 is relatively low compared to what students at other public institutions might face. This combination of affordability and strong outcomes makes Ohio State a fitting choice for motivated students who are ready to thrive in a collaborative and engaging setting.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Ohio State University-Main Campus is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ohio State University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State University-Main Campus admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 61%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,387. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 88%.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ohio State University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
When weighing the true cost of attending Ohio State University-Main Campus, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $40,022 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $17,339 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,885 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $19,976.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Ohio State University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ohio State University-Main Campus earn a median of $60,409, roughly in line with national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
How Ohio Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Ohio State University-Main Campus Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Ohio State University-Main Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,339/year ($69,356 total). Graduates earn $60,409 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,466,931 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,397,575 (21.2× your investment). The median debt is $19,976, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 88% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Ohio State University-Main Campus awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Ohio State University-Main Campus's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ohio State University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State University-Main Campus admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 61%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,387. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 88%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ohio State University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Ohio State University-Main Campus, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $40,022 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $17,339 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,885 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $19,976.
Is Ohio State University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of Ohio State University-Main Campus earn a median of $60,409, roughly in line with national averages for graduates.
How Connected Is Ohio State University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks +
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at Ohio State University-Main Campus, with an economic connectedness score of 1.57 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
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Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Ohio State University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at Ohio State University-Main Campus, with an economic connectedness score of 1.57 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note