UChicago vs. Ohio State

Should I go to University of Chicago or Ohio State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UChicago or Ohio State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Miami Michigan Wisconsin Northwestern Pitt Harvard Purdue Cornell NC State Clemson Yale Duke
University of Chicago vs. Ohio State University comparison
University of Chicago Ohio State University College 3 College 4
University of Chicago Ohio State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UChicago Ohio State
Location Chicago, IL Columbus, OH
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 18,339 60,540
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #7 #134
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uchicago.edu osu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UChicago Ohio State
Tuition (In State) $61,179 $11,525
Tuition (Out of State) $61,179 $35,762
Room & Board $18,396 $14,006
Avg Net Price $36,991 $19,582
Avg Grant Aid $48,422 $10,993
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 74%

Admission

UChicago Ohio State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 37,522 65,189
Admitted 2,039 34,370
Acceptance Rate 5.4% 52.7%
Enrolled % 84.8% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.95 3.76
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Extreme Low
ACT Range 34/35 29/32
SAT Range 1500/1580 1310/1480
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2024

Academics

UChicago Ohio State
Student to Faculty Ratio 5:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (38%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Mathematics (7%)
  • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Foreign Languages (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)

Outcomes

UChicago Ohio State
Graduation Rate 92% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $98,500 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $149 $222

Diversity

UChicago Ohio State
% Men 54% 48%
% Women 46% 52%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 71%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 8% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 11% 7%
% Unknown Race 10% 3%

Students

UChicago Ohio State
% In-State 12% 66%
% Out-of-State 69% 23%

Campus

UChicago Ohio State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Ohio State University is larger than than UChicago based on total student enrollment (60,540 students vs. 18,339 students)

UChicago vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or Ohio State?

  • University of Chicago is 430.8% more expensive to attend than Ohio State for in-state tuition ($61,179.00 vs. $11,525.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71.1% higher at UChicago than Ohio State University ($61,179.00 vs. $35,762.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ohio State University than UChicago ($19,582 vs. $36,991)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio State University are 31.3% lower than costs at University of Chicago ($14,006 vs. $18,396)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ohio State University than University of Chicago (74% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 340.5% larger than aid received Ohio State University ($48,422 vs. $10,993)

UChicago vs. Ohio State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago or Ohio State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Ohio State or UChicago .

  • The average SAT score at University of Chicago (1506) is 211 points higher than at Ohio State (1295)
  • Incoming UChicago students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (34) than students at Ohio State (29)
  • Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Ohio State (3.76)
  • Ohio State has a higher acceptance rate (52.7%) than UChicago (5.4%)

UChicago vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UChicago or Ohio State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Ohio State and UChicago.

  • The graduation rate at UChicago is higher than Ohio State University (92% vs. 80%)
  • Graduates from University of Chicago earn on average $47,900 more per year than Ohio State graduates after ten years. ($98,500 vs. $50,600)
  • University of Chicago students graduate with a $7,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Ohio State graduates. ($14,500 vs. $21,500)
  • UChicago graduates are paying $73 less per month on federal student loans than Ohio State graduates. ($149 vs. $222)
  • More UChicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/