ONU vs. Ohio State

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio Northern University in Ada, 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 ONU based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio Northern University is located in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting); Ohio State University Main Campus is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio Northern University 13:1; Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1.

ONU vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ONU 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 ONU ($19,783 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 0.9% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($14,604 vs. $14,738).
• Ohio Northern University is 200.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $26,556 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $13,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Ohio State than at Ohio Northern University (about $222 more per year; $40,022.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at Ohio State University Main Campus (97% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 110.6% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($27,696 vs. $13,151).

ONU vs. Ohio State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ONU 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 ONU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 110 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming Ohio State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio Northern University 1175/1400; Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio Northern University 24/29; Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ONU - Test optional; Ohio State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: ONU Aug 15, 2027; Ohio State Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Ohio State (3.76).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than Ohio State (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at ONU vs. 21.8% at Ohio State.

ONU vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ONU 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 Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $20,600 more per year than Ohio State graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio State University Main Campus graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 63%)

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.