Ohio State vs. OWU

Comparable Facts

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

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than OWU based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Ohio State vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio State or OWU? 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 OWU ($19,783 vs. $23,006).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Wesleyan University are 0.4% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($14,684 vs. $14,738).
• Ohio Wesleyan University is 306.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $40,644 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $13,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.6% higher at OWU than at Ohio State University Main Campus (about $13,866 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $40,022.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Wesleyan University than at Ohio State University Main Campus (100% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 245.8% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($45,481 vs. $13,151).

Ohio State vs. OWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 170 points higher than at OWU (1230).
• Incoming Ohio State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at OWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480; Ohio Wesleyan University 1105/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32; Ohio Wesleyan University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio State - Required; OWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio State Feb 1, 2027; OWU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ohio State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at OWU (3.54).
• Ohio State has a higher acceptance rate (60.6%) than OWU (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Ohio State vs. 12.6% at OWU.

Ohio State vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio State and OWU? 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 Wesleyan University's (61%).
• Graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than OWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $49,600), 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 OWU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Ohio State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OWU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More OWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.