Kent State vs. Ohio State

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Kent in Kent, 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 Kent State based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 26,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); Ohio State University Main Campus is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• Kent State University at Kent 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: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1.

Kent State vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State 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 Kent State ($19,783 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 6.4% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($13,794 vs. $14,738).
• Ohio State University Main Campus is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $12 more per year; $13,244.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.4% higher at Ohio State than at Kent State University at Kent (about $16,940 more per year; $40,022.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Ohio State University Main Campus (95% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students is 30.5% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($13,151 vs. $10,076).

Kent State vs. Ohio State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State 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 Kent State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 270 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming Ohio State students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; Ohio State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027; Ohio State Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ohio State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Kent State (3.61).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Ohio State (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 21.8% at Ohio State.

Kent State vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio State University Main Campus graduates have a $4,325 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($222 vs. $267).
• More Ohio State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 46%)

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.