Wisconsin vs. Ohio State

Should I go to University of Wisconsin Madison or Ohio State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Wisconsin 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. 

Minnesota Miami Michigan Illinois Pitt UW-Seattle Purdue Maryland UT Austin NC State Clemson IU
University of Wisconsin Madison vs. Ohio State University comparison
University of Wisconsin Madison Ohio State University College 3 College 4
University of Wisconsin Madison Ohio State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Wisconsin Ohio State
Location Madison, WI Columbus, OH
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 48,956 60,540
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #105 #134
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wisc.edu osu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Wisconsin Ohio State
Tuition (In State) $9,273 $11,525
Tuition (Out of State) $37,904 $35,762
Room & Board $12,894 $14,006
Avg Net Price $13,376 $19,582
Avg Grant Aid $11,171 $10,993
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 74%

Admission

Wisconsin Ohio State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 60,214 65,189
Admitted 29,539 34,370
Acceptance Rate 49.1% 52.7%
Enrolled % 29.2% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.88 3.76
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 26/32 29/32
SAT Range 1340/1510 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 Jan 15, 2024 Feb 1, 2024

Academics

Wisconsin Ohio State
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Wisconsin Ohio State
Graduation Rate 82% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,250 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $230 $222

Diversity

Wisconsin Ohio State
% Men 47% 48%
% Women 53% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 71%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 8% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Wisconsin Ohio State
% In-State 43% 66%
% Out-of-State 47% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ohio State University is larger than than Wisconsin based on total student enrollment (60,540 students vs. 48,956 students)

Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wisconsin or Ohio State?

  • Ohio State University is 24.3% more expensive to attend than Wisconsin for in-state tuition ($11,525.00 vs. $9,273.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6% higher at Wisconsin than Ohio State University ($37,904.00 vs. $35,762.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Madison than Ohio State ($13,376 vs. $19,582)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 8.6% lower than costs at Ohio State University ($12,894 vs. $14,006)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ohio State University than University of Wisconsin Madison (74% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students is 1.6% larger than aid received Ohio State University ($11,171 vs. $10,993)

Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Madison (1300) is 5 points higher than at Ohio State (1295)
  • Incoming Wisconsin students have at the same average ACT score (29) as students at Ohio State (29)
  • Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Ohio State (3.76)
  • Ohio State has a higher acceptance rate (52.7%) than Wisconsin (49.1%)

Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

  • The graduation rate at Wisconsin is higher than Ohio State University (82% vs. 80%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn on average $14,200 more per year than Ohio State graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $50,600)
  • Ohio State University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Wisconsin graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,250)
  • Ohio State graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Wisconsin graduates. ($222 vs. $230)
  • More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 63%)

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