Ohio State University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 05/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

Ohio State University, located in Columbus, Ohio, is known for being a top 12 public research university and a top-ranking school for online undergraduate programs. In 2022-23, Ohio State tuition for in-state students was $12,485 and $36,722 for out-of-state students. This is just slightly higher than the national tuition averages for public four-year schools of $10,940 for in-state students and $28,240 for out-of-state students.

Looking for help paying for college? Check out this student loan and scholarship information.

Costs for 2022-23

Financial Aid

The majority of students (83%) use financial aid to help with Ohio State University tuition and other costs, including student loans, scholarships, and grants.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that 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, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit 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 and 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

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Student loans are a popular way to pay for Ohio State tuition, and 36% of students take out a federal loan while 6% take out a private loan. The average private student loan amount is $17,841 per year.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-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 as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your 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 cost for an in-state student to attend Ohio State for four years is $120,740, based on 2022-23 estimates. For out-of-state students, that number is $217,688. This is higher than the national average for public universities of $111,760.

Here’s some Ohio State Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

Ohio State University tuition and fees, plus room and board, for students from Ohio is $26,491 in 2022-23. For students coming from other states, that number is $50,728. This student loans guide is helpful in showing you your options to pay for college.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

Ohio State tuition for graduate school at Ohio State University, including fees, was $12,997 in 2022-23 for in-state students and $39,598 for out-of-state students. Both of these are more affordable than the national average of $62,650. There are graduate loans to help cover these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

For students who opt to attend Ohio State University part-time, Ohio State tuition per credit hour is $480.21.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

*Starting 1 bedroom rate based on available apartments on Ohio State University’s off-campus housing website in 2023.

Most Ohio State University students are required to live on campus for their first two years. There are several residence halls, as well as learning communities around certain areas of study, for students to choose from.

Some students opt to move off campus later in their studies. There are numerous houses, apartments, and duplexes available for rent near campus. Keep in mind that if you live off campus, you may have to sign a year lease, even if the school year is shorter. For off-campus housing options, check out this guide. to learn more about off-campus housing.

Ohio State University Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021

The Ohio State acceptance rate of 57% makes the school somewhat selective.

Admission Requirements

So what does it take to get into Ohio State? Here’s what’s required, and what’s recommended with your application.

Required:

•  Academic record

•  Secondary school GPA

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

The deadline for Early Action is November 1, and a decision is given by the end of January. The deadline for Regular Decision is February 1, with a decision by the end of March. You can apply here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Ohio State University is currently test-optional, which means you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, you may choose to, especially if it helps you get a scholarship. Here are the scores for the 25th and 75th percentile.

Popular Majors at Ohio State University

At Ohio State University, there are more than 200 majors to choose from. Here are the most popular.

1. Finance

One of the most popular majors at OS is finance. Students learn about budgeting, project costs, debt and dividend policies, and option pricing.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 794

2. Psychology

The psychology department offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Students learn about the biological, emotional, cognitive, and social processes that relate to both human and animal behavior.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 621

3. Speech & Hearing Science

Students in this program learn about the auditory system, speech mechanisms, and language processing.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 469

4. Electrical & Computer Engineering

Students learn to leverage computer systems and electricity to improve lives through technology. They have the opportunity to conduct research as well as design and develop products.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 404

5. Biology

OSU offers both a BA and BS in biology. In this program, you’ll learn about biochemical processes, the behavior of cells, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 402

6. Marketing

Marketing students at Ohio State dive into pricing, promotion, and delivery of products and services.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 390

7. Health Sciences

Ohio State offers several undergraduate degrees in health studies, including health and rehabilitation sciences; health and wellness innovation in healthcare; health information management and systems; health promotion, nutrition and exercise science; and health sciences.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 416

8. Accounting

Fancy a career in accounting? A BS degree from Ohio State will give you a solid foundation in learning to analyze financial data that matters to investors, creditors, governments, and enterprises.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 361

9. Nursing

Students interested in working in the nursing field will study how to plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care, as well as how to assess, diagnose, and treat patients.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 280

10. Economics

In this program, you’ll study how decisions are made by businesses, governments, and individuals, as well as how those decisions impact markets worldwide.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 269

Learn more about the top majors at Ohio State University here .

Graduation Rate

Wondering how many students at Ohio State graduate in six years? Here’s data on the graduation rate for students who started in 2015.

•  6 years: 88%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

The average amount Ohio State graduates earn after completing their studies is $58,596 per year. This is slightly higher than the average for all public four-year institutions of $55,260.