University of Akron vs. Ohio State

Should I go to University of Akron Main Campus or Ohio State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Akron or Ohio State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Akron Main Campus vs. Ohio State University comparison
University of Akron Main Campus Ohio State University College 3 College 4
University of Akron Main Campus Ohio State University
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Overview

University of Akron Ohio State
Location Akron, OH Columbus, OH
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 13,518 60,046
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #858 #139
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uakron.edu osu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Akron Ohio State
Tuition (In State) $10,399 $11,826
Tuition (Out of State) $14,839 $37,332
Room & Board $11,070 $14,272
Avg Net Price $15,292 $19,575
Avg Grant Aid $9,452 $11,791
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 64%

Admission

University of Akron Ohio State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,982 70,028
Admitted 10,624 35,588
Acceptance Rate 70.9%Open 50.8%
Enrolled % 19.7%Open 22.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.76
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/25 29/32
SAT Range 950/1190 1330/1480
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

University of Akron Ohio State
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)

Outcomes

University of Akron Ohio State
Graduation Rate 38% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,100 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $263 $222

Diversity

University of Akron Ohio State
% Men 7% 10%
% Women 9% 14%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 71%
% Black 12% 6%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 7%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

University of Akron Ohio State
% In-State 91% 65%
% Out-of-State 7% 26%

Campus

University of Akron Ohio State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Ohio State University is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (60,046 students vs. 13,518 students)

University of Akron vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Akron or Ohio State?

  • Ohio State University is 13.7% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($11,826.00 vs. $10,399.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 151.6% higher at Ohio State than University of Akron Main Campus ($37,332.00 vs. $14,839.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than Ohio State ($15,292 vs. $19,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Akron Main Campus are 28.9% lower than costs at Ohio State University ($11,070 vs. $14,272)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Akron Main Campus than Ohio State University (94% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio State University students is 24.7% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($11,791 vs. $9,452)

University of Akron vs. Ohio State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Akron or Ohio State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Ohio State or University of Akron .

  • The average SAT score at Ohio State University (1295) is 246 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming Ohio State students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman Ohio State students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at University of Akron (3.47)
  • University of Akron has a higher acceptance rate (70.9%) than Ohio State (50.8%)

University of Akron vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Akron or Ohio State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Ohio State and University of Akron.

  • The graduation rate at Ohio State is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (80% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Ohio State University earn on average $10,500 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $40,100)
  • Ohio State University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,500)
  • Ohio State graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($222 vs. $263)
  • More Ohio State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/