Is Ohio State University on your radar? Dive deep into the latest OSU acceptance rates and key recent admissions statistics to determine your chances of admission in the upcoming years.
Ohio State University Ranking & Facts
The Ohio State University acceptance rate is 51%, and it is moderately selective for students, with 200+ undergraduate majors across 15+ colleges and 1,000+ student clubs & organizations, the OSU has became many students’ first choice. In the academic year of 2025 Autumn, OSU announced the enrollment of a record undergraduate students on Columbus campus: 46,627, which is the largest in the university’s 154-year history. Graduate students and professional enrollment also reached a record high of 14,702 students, total enrollment at Ohio State increased to 67,255, up 0.53% from last year.
The new first-year class on the Columbus campus is exceptionally talented, with 96% graduating in the top 25% and 64% graduating in the Top 10% of their high school classes. Average ACT and SAT scores remain at or above the 94th percentile. Here is a table shown some basic information of Ohio State University.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1870 |
| Location | Columbus, Ohio (main campus) |
| Other Campuses | Regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and Wooster |
| Rankings | Top 15 public universities, #41 in National Universities (U.S. News & World Report) |
| Undergraduate Enrollment (2025 Autumin) | 46,602 |
| Total Enrollment | 67,255 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 17:1 |
| Undergraduate Majors | 200+ |
| Academic Colleges | 15+ (including Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing, etc.) |
| First-Year Retention Rate | 94% |
| Six-Year Graduation Rate | 88% |
| Study Abroad Programs | 200+ programs in over 70 countries |
Ohio State University Acceptance Rate
Whether you’re a student applying next year or five years down the road, knowing colleges’ acceptance rates can help you identify where you sit in the applicant pool. The Ohio State University acceptance rate can fluctuate each year, and the updated Ohio State University acceptance rate for Class of 2029 is 60.5%.
OSU is top 15 public colleges in the U.S. and it is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity”. As of 2026, the university has an endowment of $7.1 billion. Its athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I as the Ohio State Buckeyes as a member of the Big Ten Conference for the majority of fielded sports. For these reasons, thousands of students throw their names into the ring each year, hoping to be admitted. The OSU acceptance rate is a measure of the university’s selectivity, take a look at the latest statistics.
Ohio State University Acceptance Rate Statistics 2026
| Total | Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 60.6% | ~59% | ~62% |
| Applicants | 72,829 | ~34,000 | ~38,800 |
| Admissions | 44,116 | ~20,000 | ~24,100 |
| Freshmen enrolled full-time | ≈7,900 | ~3,700 | ~4,200 |
| Freshmen enrolled part-time | ≈30 | ~15 | ~15 |
Ohio State Out of State Acceptance Rate
The Ohio State University acceptance rate may vary based on residency status. The school is a hot spot for non-residents and international applicants. The out-of-state acceptance rate at Ohio State University is around 35%–40% for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, which is noticeably lower than the overall acceptance rate of about 60% and the higher in-state rate. This means that out-of-state applicants face more competition compared to Ohio residents, although Ohio State remains a moderately selective public university overall. In recent years, the university has slightly expanded opportunities for non-resident students, but admission is still more competitive for applicants from outside Ohio.
Below is a comparison of recent in-state vs out-of-state acceptance rates:
| Year | In-State Acceptance Rate | Out-of-State Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 66.3% | 22.5% |
| 2023 | 65.7% | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 63.9% | 27.2% |
| 2025–2026 | ~60%–65% | ~35%–40% |
From the table, you will find in the year of 2023–2024, OSU out-of-state acceptance rates increased significantly (24.50% to 27.20%), while Ohio resident acceptance rates continued to decline (65.70% to 63.90%). OSU may be prioritizing out-of-state enrollments, which often pay higher tuition, to boost revenue.
OSU is becoming slightly more selective for Ohio residents while expanding opportunities for out-of-state students. This trend aligns with many public universities’ strategies to balance local commitments with financial sustainability.
Ohio State University Enrollment by Residency
Ohio State University’s acceptance rate is influenced by various factors. If you are a Ohio residents, your chance of getting into the school will be better. State University (OSU)’s total enrollment by residency shown over 70% of students are from Ohio, reflecting OSU’s role as a flagship public university. Besides, there are nearly 20% come from other U.S. states, likely due to OSU’s academic reputation and Big Ten affiliation. International students make up almost 10% of enrollment, which can bring a diverse range of perspectives and experiences to the OSU community.
Ohio Residents: 47,595 students (71.1% of total enrollment).
Non-Ohio (Domestic): 13,001 students (19.4% of total enrollment).
International: 6,305 students (9.4% of total enrollment).
OSU Enrollment by Ethnic Diversity
Ohio State University Admissions Statistics
Applicants should aim to stand out to meet the Ohio State University acceptance rate criteria. Here is admission requirements for students who want to apply the university, please notify that all international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through standardized tests. Applicants should strive to meet or exceed the OSU acceptance rate expectations. Here are the minimum score requirements:
Undergraduate Programs:
IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.5.
TOEFL (iBT): Minimum score of 79.
Postgraduate Programs:
IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.5–7.0 (may vary by program)
TOEFL (iBT): Minimum score of 90–100(may vary by program)
| OSU Admissions requirements | |
|---|---|
| College-preparatory program | Required |
| Secondary school GPA | Required |
| Secondary school rank | Required |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| TOEFL/IELTS | Required |
| Recommendations | Considered but not required |
| SAT/ACT Scores Must Be Received By | Jan. 15 |
What’s a good SAT/ACT score for Ohio State University?
Ohio State is a “Test Optional” school. But there are over half of applicants submitted their SAT or ACT scores. The recommended ACT requirements for Ohio State are a 29 composite score combining all English, mathematics, reading, and science sections. Here are details of OSU applicants’s ACT composite:
50% of admitted students scored between 28 and 33
25% scored below 28
25% scored above 33
According to the statistics, the average SAT score is around 1400, therefore aiming for a score at or above this level will place you in a strong position. The top 25% of Ohio State students scored 1480 or more, implying that a “good” SAT score for the school would be fairly high.
| Section | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 1330 | 1400 | 1480 |
| English | 650 | 680 | 720 |
| Math | 680 | 720 | 760 |
Ohio State University Application Deadlines
| Spring 2026 | Autumn 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | Nov. 1, 2025 | Early action: Nov. 1, 2025 |
| Regular decision: Jan. 15, 2026 | ||
| Priority date for financial aid | Aug. 1 | Feb. 15 |
| Early action decision | December 12–13, 2025 (Ohio residents) | |
| Jan. 23–24, 2026 (non-Ohio residents & international applicants) | ||
| Regular decision | Mar. 6–7, 2026 |
Ohio State University Costs
Tuition and fees will vary depending on the mode of instruction (on-campus, online) and the program of study. Ohio residents: Your tuition, general fees, and housing and food costs are held steady through 2028-2029 as part of the Ohio State Tuition Guarantee.
| Expense | Ohio Resident | Out-of-State | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $13,244 | $40,022 | $42,950 |
| Housing & Food | $14,738 | $14,738 | $14,738 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,020 | $1,020 | $1,030 |
| Health Insurance | — | — | $3,768 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,918 | $2,918 | $3,738 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $31,920 | $58,698 | $66,224 |
Ohio State University Student Housing
The vast majority of first- and second-year students live on campus, taking advantage of easy access to classrooms and campus activities. Ohio State’s residence halls offer a variety of room styles and living arrangements. For Junior and senior students want to experience living off-campus, uhomes.com is user-friendly rental website provides various high-quality, spacious and safe student housing near campus.
The best apartments near OSU on our website offers easy communte to campus, local amenities and public transporation. Here are some popular Ohio State University off-campus student housing is booking fast by students：
- Rambler Columbus: Steps from Ohio State campus on Lane Avenue, making daily commutes extremely easy, offers fully furnished apartments with study areas and smart TVs
- Luxe Belle: Boutique-style student housing with upscale interiors and modern finishes
- Peer on 7th: Located in a prime student housing zone near OSU, with lots of social amenities and common spaces encourage community interaction
- UNCOMMON Columbus: Located right on High Street, surrounded by restaurants and student hotspots
- Verve Columbus: Prime High Street location within walking distance to OSU and Short North
- Lumen on Ninth: Modern high-rise student housing near OSU with strong tech integration, designed for convenience and security, especially for busy students
- StateHouse Lane: Good option for Ohio State students balancing budget and location
- The Urban: Located in the University District with easy access to OSU
How to Make a Strong Ohio State University Application
Meeting the requirements can improve your chances of beating the acceptance rate of Ohio State University. Read the tips below learn about the OSU admission crtieria and explore the resources that make the application process easy.
- 3.0 GPA or better AND top 33.3% rank in high school graduating class
- 3.0 GPA or better in 15-unit core AND 21 ACT/1060 SAT or better
- 24 ACT/1160 SAT or better
Achieving strong academic performance is crucial for meeting the Ohio State University acceptance rate. Except for academic performance, it’s also important to note that Ohio State has a holistic admissions process and considers many other factors beyond just residency. You’ll need to have strong grades, rigorous coursework, well-rounded extracurricular activities, and strong essays to enhance your chances of admission.
Final Thoughts on OSU Acceptance Rate
Ohio State acceptance rate varies year to year, although it is normally between 50% and 57%. However, the rate differs between in-state and out-of-state applicants. Ohio State University’s out-of-state acceptance rate is often lower than the total acceptance rate, and it can be 10-20% lower than the in-state acceptance rate. This is because Ohio State University has a mandate to prioritize Ohio citizens. For students who wants to get into OSU, it’s essential to prepare well to increase your chances of meeting the Ohio State University acceptance rate.
FAQ
1. What is the latest Ohio State University acceptance rate?
The Ohio State University acceptance rate is about 60.6% in the most recent admission cycle, making it a moderately selective university. As a large public research university, OSU enrolls over 60,000 students across its campuses, including around 47,000 undergraduate students. A significant portion of the student body comes from Ohio residents, as the university prioritizes in-state applicants.
2. What GPA do you need to get into Ohio State University?
The average GPA for admitted students to The Ohio State University (OSU) is 3.81, to be competitive for admission to Ohio State University, a GPA between 3.6 to 4.0 is generally recommended, placing you in the top half of your class. This requires primarily A’s, and taking AP or IB courses can further demonstrate college-level readiness.
3. What are the English language requirements for Ohio State University?
Here are details of minimum test scores and requirements for international language, any graduate programs at Ohio State University require a score above these minimums.
TOEFL
19 on each section of the paper-based TOEFL
79 on the TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
550 on the TOEFL ITP for students in the American Language Program
IELTS
7.0 on the IELTS Academic test or IELTS Indicator (6.5 for Moritz College of Law applicants)
Duolingo
120 or higher
Notes:
4. Is Ohio State University a hard school to get into?
Getting into The Ohio State University is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 50.8%, meaning that for every 100 applicants, about 51 are admitted. Besides, Ohio State is a public university prioritizes admitting students from Ohio, so the acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants is usually lower.
5. What is OSU out-of-state acceptance rate?
Ohio State admits roughly 43–50% of out-of-state applicants each year, though the exact number varies depending on the applicant pool. Out-of-state students typically face slightly tougher competition than in-state applicants, but strong grades and extracurriculars make a big difference.
6.Is OSU harder for out-of-state students?
Yes, out-of-state applicants usually have a slightly lower acceptance rate than Ohio residents. For example, recent data shows in-state students are admitted at around 55–60%, while out-of-state students are admitted at roughly 43–50%. The university prioritizes state residents, but strong academics—like a GPA above 3.7, high standardized test scores, and leadership experiences—can help out-of-state students stand out
7. How competitive is OSU for international vs. out-of-state students?
Ohio State is competitive for both groups, but the numbers differ slightly. Out-of-state applicants are admitted at around 43–50%, while international student acceptance rates are often estimated in the 30–45% range, depending on the program and year. International applicants may face additional competition due to limited spots and visa considerations, but strong academics—such as a GPA above 3.7 and solid test scores—can still make applicants competitive.
8. Why is Ohio State so popular?
Ohio State University is popular for several reasons. It’s one of the largest universities in the U.S., with over 61,000 students on the Columbus campus alone, which creates a vibrant campus life. Its strong academics, including top-ranked programs in business, engineering, and health sciences, attract students nationally and internationally. OSU also has a thriving sports culture, especially football, and offers numerous research opportunities, internships, and student organizations—over 1,000 clubs and activities—making it appealing for students who want both academic and social experiences.
