The Ohio State University Tuition and Fees

Ohio State University Tuition and Fees

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      By Susan Guillory

      (Last Updated – 08/2025)

      Founded in 1870, The Ohio State University (OSU) is a leading public research university located in Columbus. The school is known for its strong academic programs, especially in engineering, business, and health sciences, and consistently ranks among the top public universities in the U.S. OSU also boasts a vibrant campus life, top-ranked athletics program, and extensive research opportunities.

      Total Cost of Attendance

      The Ohio State University tuition in 2024-25 for state residents was $13,244. This is higher than the national average of $11,260 for in-state tuition at public universities. For residents of other states, Ohio State tuition was $40,022, which is above the national average for out-of-state tuition of $29,150.

      Tuition, however, is only part of the total cost of attending college. Here’s a look at other expenses students can expect when attending Ohio State.

      Costs for 2024-25

      Expense

      In-State

      Out-of-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $13,244

      $40,022

      Books & Supplies

      $1,030

      $1,030

      Room & Board (on campus)

      $14,738

      $14,738

      Other Expenses

      $3,070

      $3,070

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $32,082

      $58,860

      Financial Aid

      The majority of students at Ohio State (75%) use financial aid to help cover the tuition and other costs. This may be student loans, scholarships, or grants, or a combination of these.

      Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

      The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

      •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

      •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

      •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

      •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

      Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

      You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

      •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

      •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

      •  SoFi Scholarship Finder – Use our handy tool to streamline your search by award type, location, level of study and more.

      Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

      Private Student Loans

      A large share of students (33%) tap student loans to help pay Ohio State’s tuition and other costs: 32% take out federal loans, and 6% get private student loans (with an average amount of $20,904).

      Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

      What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

      Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

      If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

      Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

      Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

      The Ohio State University cost of attendance for four years — including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses — is $128,328 for in-state students (based on 2024-25 numbers). By comparison, the national average at public universities for in-state students is $115,360 for four years.

      For out-of-state residents, the four-year cost for attending Ohio State is $235,440. This is higher than the national average of $186,920 for out-of-state cost of attendance.

      This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

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      Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

      Costs for 2024-25

      Ohio State’s undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic year were $13,244 for in-state students, a 3.0% increase over 2023-24. The tuition and fees for out-of-state students were $40,022, a 4.3% increase over 2023-24.

      Graduate Tuition and Fees

      Costs for 2024-25

      Expense

      In-State

      Out-of-State

      Tuition

      $12,890

      $41,729

      Fees

      $1,011

      $1,011

      Tuition and fees for graduate students at Ohio State for 2024-25 averaged $13,901 for in-state students and $42,740 for out-of-state students. This is a good deal for residents: The average cost of graduate school tuition and fees in the U.S. is $22,430 per year.

      There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

      Cost per Credit Hour

      The cost per credit hour at OSU is $552 for Ohio residents and $1,752 for nonresidents.

      Campus Housing Expenses

      All first-year students are required to live on campus (unless they are exempted or living with family); after that, students can choose to live on or off campus.

      Students can also apply for a Living Learning Community (LLC), which is a group of students who live together on a residence hall floor with a common major, career and/or personal interests.

      Costs for 2024-25

      •  Housing and food expenses (on campus): $14,738

      •  Other living expenses (on campus): $3,070

      •  Housing and food expenses (off campus): $13,814

      •  Other living expenses (off campus): $3,294

      Total living expenses for 2024-25 came to an estimated $17,808 for students who lived on campus and $17,108 for those who lived off campus.

      The Ohio State University Acceptance Rate

      Fall 2023

      Number of Applications

      70,028

      Number Accepted

      35,714

      Percentage Accepted

      51%

      Ohio State University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 51%.

      Admission Requirements

      To apply to Ohio State as an incoming freshmen, you’ll need to:

      •  Complete the Common App.

      •  Have your official high school transcripts sent directly to OSU.

      •  Have your official ACT or SAT score sent directly to OSU from the testing agency.

      •  Though not required, your counselor may send a maximum of two letters of recommendation electronically through the Common App or Naviance.

      Application deadlines:

      Early action: Nov. 1

      Regular decision: Jan. 15

      SAT and ACT Scores

      Standardized test scores from ACT or SAT are required for first-year applicants to OSU. Here are the test scores of admitted students who enrolled in Fall 2023 at the 25th and 75th percentiles.

      Subject

      25th Percentile

      75th Percentile

      SAT Evidence-Based
      Reading/Writing

      650

      720

      SAT Math

      680

      760

      ACT Composite

      29

      32

      ACT English

      27

      34

      ACT Math

      27

      32

      Graduation Rate

      While many OSU students complete their degree in four years, some take longer. Here are the graduation rates for students who began at the school in 2017.

      •  4 years: 71%

      •  6 years: 88%

      Post-Graduation Median Earnings

      The average annual salary for Ohio State graduates is $80,000. This is higher than the average projected starting salary for the class of 2025 at the bachelor’s degree level, which is $68,680.

      Bottom Line

      The Ohio State University offers a wide range of well-regarded undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and is ranked #15 in top public schools by U.S. News & World Report. While the cost of attendance runs above the national average for public universities, those who need help covering OSU tuition may qualify for financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.

      If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

      Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

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      SoFi Private Student Loans
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      SoFi Bank, N.A. and its lending products are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with any college or university unless otherwise disclosed.

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