Kent State vs. Ohio University

Deciding between Kent State University at Kent and Ohio University Main Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Kent State University at Kent
Ohio University Main Campus

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Kent State Kent, OH
  • Ohio University Athens, OH
  • Setting
  • Kent State Large Suburban
  • Ohio University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Kent State 26,374
  • Ohio University 26,323
  • Type
  • Kent State Public 4 Year
  • Ohio University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Kent State #807
  • Ohio University #517
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Kent State -
  • Ohio University -
  • Status
  • Kent State Non-profit
  • Ohio University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Kent State
  • Ohio University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Kent State $13,232
  • Ohio University $14,158
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Kent State $23,082
  • Ohio University $24,838
  • Room & Board
  • Kent State $13,794
  • Ohio University $14,162
  • Average Net Price
  • Kent State $21,278
  • Ohio University $21,907
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Kent State $10,076
  • Ohio University $9,422
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Kent State 95%
  • Ohio University 94%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Kent State 24,611
  • Ohio University 27,486
  • Admitted
  • Kent State 21,248
  • Ohio University 23,360
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Kent State 86.3%
  • Ohio University 85%
  • Enrolled
  • Kent State 20.3%
  • Ohio University 19.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Kent State 1130
  • Ohio University 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Kent State 21
  • Ohio University 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Kent State 3.61
  • Ohio University 3.59
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Kent State A-
  • Ohio University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Kent State Moderate
  • Ohio University Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Kent State
  • Ohio University
  • ACT Range
  • Kent State 18/25
  • Ohio University 22/28
  • SAT Range
  • Kent State 1010/1240
  • Ohio University 1090/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Kent State Test optional
  • Ohio University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Kent State Aug 1, 2027
  • Ohio University Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Kent State 20:1
  • Ohio University 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Kent State
    • Business (21%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Ohio University
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Kent State 50%
  • Ohio University 65%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Kent State $40,300
  • Ohio University $44,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Kent State 46%
  • Ohio University 51%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Kent State $25,825
  • Ohio University $20,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Kent State $267
  • Ohio University $211
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Kent State 37%
  • Ohio University 39%
  • % Women
  • Kent State 63%
  • Ohio University 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Kent State Low
  • Ohio University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Kent State No
  • Ohio University No
  • % White
  • Kent State 75%
  • Ohio University 83%
  • % Asian
  • Kent State 1%
  • Ohio University 1%
  • % Black
  • Kent State 9%
  • Ohio University 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Kent State 3%
  • Ohio University 3%
  • % Native American
  • Kent State 0%
  • Ohio University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Kent State 0%
  • Ohio University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Kent State 3%
  • Ohio University 3%
  • % International
  • Kent State 6%
  • Ohio University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Kent State 3%
  • Ohio University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Kent State 80%
  • Ohio University 85%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Kent State 16%
  • Ohio University 14%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Kent State Yes
  • Ohio University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Kent State No
  • Ohio University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Kent State Yes
  • Ohio University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Kent State Yes
  • Ohio University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Kent State Yes
  • Ohio University No

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than Ohio University based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 26,323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); Ohio University Main Campus is in Athens, OH (Distant Town setting).
  • Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; Ohio University Main Campus 18:1.

Kent State vs. Ohio University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State or Ohio University? 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 Kent State University at Kent than Ohio University ($21,278 vs. $21,907).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 2.6% lower than at Ohio University Main Campus ($13,794 vs. $14,162).
  • Ohio University Main Campus is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $926 more per year; $14,158.00 vs. $13,232.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Ohio University than at Kent State University at Kent (about $1,756 more per year; $24,838.00 vs. $23,082.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Ohio University Main Campus (95% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kent State University at Kent students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students ($10,076 vs. $9,422).

Kent State vs. Ohio University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State or Ohio University? 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 University and Kent State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio University Main Campus (1190) is 60 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
  • Incoming Ohio University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 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 University Main Campus 1090/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; Ohio University Main Campus 22/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; Ohio University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027; Ohio University Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Ohio University (3.59).
  • Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Ohio University (85%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 19.2% at Ohio University.

Kent State vs. Ohio University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State and Ohio University? 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 University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
  • Graduates from Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio University Main Campus graduates have a $5,325 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,825).
  • Among borrowers, Ohio University graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($211 vs. $267).
  • More Ohio University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.