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#1 Best Public Universities in Ohio

Ohio State Admission Requirements

Columbus, Ohio

 6 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Ohio State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

52.7%
Admission Difficulty for Ohio State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Ohio State is 52.7%.  Its admission rate is the 11th lowest in Ohio.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Ohio State and can you get accepted?

Ohio State is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 34,370 out of the 65,189 who applied were admitted.

Ohio State University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.76. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Ohio State?

53% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Ohio State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.76 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1400 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Ohio State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.76*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Ohio State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Ohio State are to have around a 3.76 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Ohio State accepts 53% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Ohio State is 3.76 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #9 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Ohio State is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.76 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Ohio State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Ohio State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 15% of students submitted SAT scores and 40% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1310-1480

Applicants Submitting SAT 

15%
SAT Scores for Ohio State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 640
Math 25th Percentile 670
Composite 25th Percentile 1310
SAT Scores for Ohio State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 720
Math 75th Percentile 760
Composite 75th Percentile 1480
Average SAT Score 1400

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Ohio State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Ohio State is 1400 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1310-1480. Students who get into Ohio State University score in the top 11 percent of all SAT test takers..  Ohio State ranks #4 in the state of Ohio and #99 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1400 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Ohio State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1310 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1310, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1220, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Ohio State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1400 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1395, you have around a 53% chance of being admitted. A 1480 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 68% chance of getting in.

Ohio State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1480 and Above Good >68%
1395 to 1480 Avg + 53%-68%
1310 to 1395 Avg - 37%-53%
1225 to 1310 Reach 24%-37%
Less than 1225 Low <24%
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Ohio State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

29-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

40%
ACT Scores for Ohio State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 28
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 29
ACT Scores for Ohio State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 32
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Ohio State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Ohio State is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 32.  The school ranks #5 in Ohio and #141 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.

40 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Ohio State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Ohio State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Ohio State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 53% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 73% with a 32 ACT score.

Ohio State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >73%
30 to 32 Avg + 53%-73%
29 to 30 Avg - 42%-53%
28 to 29 Reach 32%-42%
Less than 28 Low <32%
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High School Class Rank

64% of Ohio State University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Ohio State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 64%
Top 25% of class 94%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Ohio State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 34,259 30,930 65,189
Accepted 18,569 15,801 34,370
Acceptance Rate 54% 51% 53%
Enrolled 4,289 3,771 8,060
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 23% 24% 23%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

72

Applicants have 72 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Ohio State University is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Ohio State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Ohio State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Ohio State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Ohio State is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.76 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1400 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1480 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Ohio State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=204796 IPEDS survey data for Ohio State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024