The article provides important information about the Ohio State Acceptance Rate to assist prospective students in their admission process.
In 1995, Ohio State University welcomed a freshman class of 5,794 students, with 90% being Ohio residents and having an average SAT score of 1074 and an ACT score just below 23.
Over the span of 25 years, the university has experienced significant growth, with 8,398 freshmen joining the campus. About 25% of this cohort came from other states or foreign countries, boasting higher academic achievements with an average SAT score of 1300+ and a mean ACT score of 29.
This comparison demonstrates Ohio State’s remarkable expansion in size, selectivity, and non-resident population since the early 2000s. Despite these changes, the positive aspect is that the Ohio State acceptance rate remains above 50%.
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Ohio State Acceptance Rate – Class of 2025
The Class of 2025 was chosen from a pool of 58,180 applications, of which 33,269 applicants received admission, resulting in an Ohio State acceptance rate of 57%, which is notably lower than the previous year’s rate of 68%. However, this acceptance rate alone doesn’t fully illustrate the level of selectivity at OSU-Columbus.
In contrast to many other flagship state schools, Ohio State maintains comparable admission standards for both in-state and out-of-state applicants. The acceptance rates for in-state applicants are nearly identical. For the Class of 2024, the in-state acceptance rate was just two points higher than the overall rate. This indicates that Ohio State University is becoming increasingly selective for all applicants, regardless of residency status.
Ohio State Admissions – SAT, GPA, and Class Rank
For the Class of 2025, the mid-50% SAT range for enrolled freshmen was 1260-1420; the ACT range was 26-32. Only 21% of applicants submitted an SAT score while 64% included an ACT result in their application. Among enrolled first-year students, 64% hailed from the top 10%, while 94% earned a place in the top 25%.
Admissions Trends & Notes
- The university has adopted a test-optional policy.
- However, they still list test scores as “very important “to the admissions process.
- 86% exceeded the required two foreign language courses.
- 99% of enrolled students took a fourth year of math.
- 88% took a fourth year of science.
How Ohio State Rates Applicants
OSU places significant importance on four key factors during the admissions process: rigor of high school coursework, class rank, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. Additionally, items such as essays, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, first-generation status, and work/volunteer experience are considered important in the evaluation. Other factors like recommendations, character/personal qualities, geographic residence, state residency, and racial/ethnic status are also taken into account.
The admissions staff at Ohio State University diligently reviews every application, seeking students who exhibit preparedness for the academic challenges of the institution, leadership potential, appreciation for diversity, collaborative problem-solving skills, and a clear vision of the impact they wish to make in the world.
Moreover, recruited athletes enjoy a considerable advantage due to the university’s strong commitment to its 37 NCAA Division I sports teams, attracting over 1,000 student-athletes currently attending OSU. For advice on standing out in extracurricular activities, one can refer to their previous blog titled “How Many Extracurricular Activities Do I Need for College?
Where is Ohio State?
Ohio State University’s main campus is located in Columbus, Ohio. The state capital city is the most populous in Ohio. Columbus has been home to OSU for almost 150 years.
Who Gets Into Ohio State?
Let’s look at the demographics of current undergraduates.
- In-State: 76%
- Out-of-State: 19%
- International: 7%
The greatest number of Class of 2025 members hailed from the following states:
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Illinois
- New York
- New Jersey
- Michigan
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Texas
- California
Non-resident applicants face tough competition, particularly if they come from states with a large pool of qualified candidates. States in the Deep South, such as Alabama or Mississippi, and less-populated states like Wyoming or South Dakota, may provide an advantage to applicants seeking admission to Ohio State University.
Within the state of Ohio, the counties producing the most Class of 2025 members were:
- Franklin
- Cuyahoga
- Delaware
- Hamilton
- Summit
- Warren
- Lorian
- Montgomery
- Stark
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the undergraduate student body is as follows:
- Caucasian/White: 66%
- Asian American: 8%
- Hispanic: 5%
- African American: 7%
- International: 7%
Current international students are citizens of the following countries:
- China
- India
- Korea
- Malaysia
- Canada
Looking at the gender breakdown, the university presently enrolls a similar number of both men and women.
- Men: 51%
- Women: 49%
Yield Rate
Ohio State University’s yield rate, which represents the proportion of accepted students who choose to enroll out of the total number of admitted students, is 25%. While this figure is lower than other renowned state universities like the University of Michigan (45%), UVA (40%), and UCLA (44%), it is higher than Penn State University’s yield rate of 19%.
Tips for Applying to Ohio State
If you plan on joining the 58,000+ Buckeye hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- You can apply by submitting the Common Application by Nov 1 for Early Action or Feb 1 for Regular Decision.
- This university does not use interviews as part of their evaluation process.
- Ohio State does not consider “demonstrated interest” so you will not be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit, contacted an admissions officer, etc.
- We recommend submitting 1-2 recommendations from your counselor/teachers although none are technically required.
- In the 2022-23 cycle, Ohio State did not offer any supplemental essay prompts. Therefore, the primary Common App essay takes on an even greater level of important when applying to the university.
CT Advice: With only one essay to complete for Ohio State University, applicants need to channel their efforts into the Common App essay of their choice.
Should I Apply to Ohio State?
Applicants to Ohio State University with SAT/ACT scores falling within the mid-50% range and who rank in the top 10% of their high school class are strong contenders for admission. Similarly, students in the top 25% of their class, along with other impressive credentials, also have competitive chances of acceptance. Both residents and non-residents face comparable admissions standards and odds of being accepted.
However, it is essential for most applicants to have a well-balanced college list comprising both “target” and “safety” schools. Ohio State can be considered an appropriate “safety” school for students who excel in the top percentile of their high school class and boast standardized test scores in the 95th percentile.
