Ohio State vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, OH with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio State University Main Campus is located in Columbus, OH (Large City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Ohio State vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio State or MSOE? 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 MSOE ($19,783 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 5.1% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($13,984 vs. $14,738).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 281.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $37,236 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $13,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at MSOE than at Ohio State University Main Campus (about $10,458 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $40,022.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Ohio State University Main Campus (100% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 181.3% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($36,997 vs. $13,151).

Ohio State vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 120 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Ohio State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio State - Required; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio State Feb 1, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Ohio State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• Ohio State has a higher acceptance rate (60.6%) than MSOE (58.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Ohio State vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Ohio State vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio State and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than Ohio State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 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 MSOE graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.