UC vs. Ohio State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than UC based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 45,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Ohio State University Main Campus is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1.

UC vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC or Ohio State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ohio State University Main Campus than UC ($19,783 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 8% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($13,564 vs. $14,738).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $732 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $13,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.5% higher at Ohio State than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $10,712 more per year; $40,022.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at Ohio State University Main Campus (73% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students is 60.5% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($13,151 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. Ohio State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC or Ohio State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ohio State and UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 130 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Ohio State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; Ohio State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; Ohio State Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ohio State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Ohio State (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 21.8% at Ohio State.

UC vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC and Ohio State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ohio State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio State University Main Campus graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More Ohio State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.