UC vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than OSU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 37,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Oregon State University is in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Oregon State University 18:1.

UC vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC or OSU? 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 Oregon State University than UC ($22,467 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 17.2% lower than at Oregon State University ($13,564 vs. $16,386).
• Oregon State University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $424 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at OSU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $8,880 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (90% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oregon State University students is 37% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($11,230 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. OSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC or OSU? 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 OSU and UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is the same as at OSU (1270).
• Incoming OSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); OSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at OSU (3.61).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than OSU (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 20.4% at OSU.

UC vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC and OSU? 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).

• Oregon State University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Oregon State University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($237 vs. $242).
• More OSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.