Ohio · College profile

Ohio State University: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs

Ohio State University is a public four-year university in Columbus, Ohio, enrolling about 45,638 undergraduates. It admits roughly 61% of applicants, which makes it moderately selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.

Ohio State University campus
Photo: Public domain

SAT and ACT scores at Ohio State University

MeasureScore
SAT 25th percentile1310
SAT 75th percentile1480
SAT midpoint (estimated)1400
ACT 25th percentile28
ACT 75th percentile32
ACT midpoint (estimated)30

A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1310 and a quarter scored above 1480. Treat 1480 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1310 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.

The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 32 and an SAT 1480 are read as equivalent here.

Admissions and selectivity

MeasureValue
Acceptance rate60.6%
Undergraduate enrollment45,638
Student–faculty ratio16:1
SettingCity
ControlPublic

Cost and financial aid

MeasureAmount
In-state tuition and fees$13,244
Out-of-state tuition and fees$40,022
Room and board$14,738
Average net price (first-year students)$17,339
Students receiving Pell grants20.2%
Students taking federal loans28.8%
Median federal loan debt at graduation$14,500

Net price is the number that matters: $17,339 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.

Graduation and earnings outcomes

MeasureValue
Graduation rate (6-year)87.7%
First-year retention94.2%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$60,409
Students who are first-generation26.2%

Most popular majors

Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.

How your score compares

Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside Ohio State University's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.

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Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do you need for Ohio State University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Ohio State University scored between 1310 and 1480 on the SAT. A score at or above 1480 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1310 the rest of your application carries more weight.

What ACT score do you need for Ohio State University?

The middle 50% ACT range at Ohio State University is 28 to 32. Aim for 32 to make the score a clear strength.

What is the acceptance rate at Ohio State University?

Ohio State University admits about 60.6% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

How much does Ohio State University cost?

Published tuition and fees are $13,244 in-state and $40,022 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $17,339 after grant aid.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.

FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →