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How to Get Into Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · 2025-2026 cycle · Verified data

Ohio State University-Main Campus Admissions Statistics

61%
Acceptance Rate
640-720
SAT Reading (mid 50%)
670-760
SAT Math (mid 50%)
28-32
ACT (mid 50%)
45,638
Undergrads
88%
Graduation Rate

How to Actually Get Into Ohio State University-Main Campus

The bar here is clear

Ohio State University-Main Campus admits most qualified applicants. Clear the academic bar (the ranges below) and your odds are strong. The real questions become fit, cost, and whether it earns its slot on your list, not whether you can get in.

Position your scores against the real bands

The middle 50% of enrolled students sits around 1310-1480 combined SAT or 28-32 ACT. Above the 75th percentile, scores work for you and this can behave like a target. Below the 25th percentile, the rest of your application has to carry the file, treat it as a reach. Scores are required here, so plan your testing calendar early enough to retake once.

Use the Early Action round deliberately

Ohio State University-Main Campus offers Early Action: non-binding and worth taking if your application is ready, an earlier answer helps you calibrate the rest of your list, and EA carries no downside beyond the earlier deadline.

The supplements are where files separate

Ohio State University-Main Campus asks 1 supplemental question (the exact prompts are below). At any selective school, essays are where you stop being a data point, generic answers read as generic everywhere, so specificity about Ohio State University-Main Campus is the whole game. Answer why THIS school, with details that could not be pasted into another application.

The bigger picture: no single school decides your outcome, the shape of your whole list does. Read how top counselors build a college list before you finalize where Ohio State University-Main Campus fits.

Ohio State University-Main Campus Application Deadlines (2025-2026)

Round Deadline
Early Action (EA) November 1, 2025
Regular Decision (RD) January 15, 2026

Deadlines verified from official sources for the 2025-2026 cycle. Rounds change year to year, always confirm on the school's site before submitting.

Ohio State University-Main Campus Supplemental Essay Prompts

  1. 1. Who will you ask for recommendation letters? Teachers: 0 required, 1 optional. Other recommenders: 0. List only.

    50 words

Application Requirements & Costs

Application platform Common App
Application fee $60
Test scores Required
Writing supplement Not required
Counselor recommendation Not required

Ohio State University-Main Campus Cost & Financial Aid

Total cost of attendance (sticker, per year) $30,305
Tuition & fees (in-state / out-of-state) $13,244 / $40,022
Room & board (on campus) $14,738
Average net price (aid-receiving families) $17,339

What You'd Actually Pay, by Family Income

Average net price per year (after grants and scholarships) for aid-receiving families, from federal College Scorecard data:

Family income Average net price / year
$0-30k $4,885
$30-48k $5,751
$48-75k $9,807
$75-110k $20,461
$110k+ $27,359
20%
Students receiving Pell Grants
29%
Students taking federal loans
94%
Freshman retention rate
16:1
Student-faculty ratio

These are averages, not your number. Get your family's actual price in about 10 minutes:

Use Ohio State University-Main Campus's Official Net Price Calculator →

More Ohio State University-Main Campus Data, Coming Soon

We're building the deepest per-school database in admissions. Rolling out for Ohio State University-Main Campus:

Programs & Majors Soon Every degree program at Ohio State University-Main Campus, with outcomes
Transfer Pathways Soon How to transfer into Ohio State University-Main Campus, and where transfers come from
Institutional Aid Soon Ohio State University-Main Campus's own grants and how they're awarded
Private Scholarships Soon Outside scholarships Ohio State University-Main Campus students actually win

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