More selective than 72% of Ohio colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
14% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 35% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Ohio State University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Ohio State University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Ohio State University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- First-generation college student
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Character and personal qualities
- Where you live
- State residency
- Interview
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
5,358 offered a spot, 2,278 took it, 2,049 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Ohio State University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Ohio State University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 640 | 720 |
| SAT math | 670 | 760 |
| ACT composite | 28 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1310 | 1480 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Ohio State University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 61% | 640–720 | 670–760 | 28–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 51% | 650–720 | 680–760 | 29–32 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Ohio State University compared with other Ohio colleges?
Ohio State University has the 18th-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Ohio colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 59% | 56% | $18,378 |
| 15 | Mount St. Joseph University | 59% | 56% | $16,530 |
| 16 | The College of Wooster | 60% | 74% | $23,458 |
| 17 | University of Akron Main Campus | 60% | 52% | $13,946 |
| 18 | Ohio State University | 61% | 88% | $17,339 |
| 19 | Cleveland Institute of Art | 61% | 58% | $29,208 |
| 20 | Cedarville University | 65% | 73% | $24,468 |
| 21 | University of Dayton | 65% | 80% | $29,533 |
| 22 | Bluffton University | 67% | 53% | $19,943 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Ohio colleges →
Who enrolls at Ohio State University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Ohio State University admissions questions
What is the Ohio State University acceptance rate?
Ohio State University accepts 61% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 35,588 of 70,028 applicants were admitted.
Does Ohio State University require the SAT or ACT?
Ohio State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 14% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 35% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Ohio State University?
The middle 50% of Ohio State University enrolled first-year students scored 1310–1480 on the SAT and 28–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Ohio State University?
23% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (8,062 of 35,588).
What does Ohio State University look for in applicants?
Ohio State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank, high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores. Important: essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, first-generation college student, volunteer work, work experience. Considered: character and personal qualities, where you live, state residency. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Ohio State University have early decision?
No. Ohio State University does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the Ohio State University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 5,358 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 2,278 accepted one and 2,049 were admitted (90% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Ohio State University getting harder to get into?
Ohio State University accepted 61% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 51% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Ohio State University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Ohio State University overview