Accessible, affordable
We're continually committed to keeping a world-class education accessible to everyone.
With opportunities around every corner to jumpstart your career and bolster your resume, Ohio State provides an exceptional return on your investment (ROI). But we don't stop there. See how we're working to keep costs down.
- Around 80% of first-year students receive financial aid.
- About half of undergraduates earn their degree debt-free!
- Millions in need- and merit-based financial aid are awarded annually.
- Use
ScholarshipUniverse to find more scholarship dollars (internal and external to Ohio State).
TIP: Make college more affordable by applying for financial aid.
Need-based grants and scholarships
Did you know? Students with demonstrated financial need can be eligible for a wide range of additional aid options, including:
The Buckeye Bridge Program is a strategic initiative between Columbus State Community College (CSCC) and The Ohio State University. The program provides eligible CSCC associate degree graduates:
- Guaranteed admission to Ohio State’s Columbus campus
- Full tuition and mandatory fee coverage (up to eight semesters) or until completion of the first bachelor’s degree
- Coordinated onboarding and support services to promote little-to-no debt bachelor’s degree completion
- Be Ohio residents
- Complete an associate degree at CSCC in spring 2026 or later
- File the FAFSA annually by the priority deadline
- Maintain full-time enrollment at Ohio State
- Have a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less, verified through FAFSA
The President's Affordability Grant provides up to $2,250 to more than 16,000 middle- and lower-income in-state undergraduate students on all campuses.
The Buckeye Opportunity Program covers tuition and mandatory fees for Ohio residents on all campuses who are Pell-eligible and show significant need. (90% of Pell recipients have an annual household income of $50,000 or less.)
Covers the whole cost of attendance for 176 students each year, with an effort to award two students from each Ohio county.
Predictable tuition and savings
Outside of traditional aid, you'll find a number of offers and initiatives that keep costs low and surprises away.
The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee keeps in-state tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and dining rates
flat for four years for each incoming class of new first-year undergraduates on all campuses.
Undergraduate students can enjoy discounted summer tuition. And taking summer courses can shorten the time to degree — further reducing your overall cost.
Ohio State provides additional ways for students to reduce costs. Each year, Ohio State helps students save up to $1.9 million by:
- eliminating hundreds of course fees
- deep discounts on digital textbooks
- waiving costs when students take additional credit hours to complete their degrees (so you can take an extra class in a given term and get to your required hours for less money)
- extending in-state tuition to more military families
Multiple paths to an Ohio State degree
Not everyone follows a traditional path through Ohio State, but no matter how you arrive, you'll leave a Buckeye — and join an alumni community half a million strong!
- Ohio residents can begin in Columbus or at Ohio State's regional campuses.
- Students can transfer from another college.
- Military veterans can continue their academic careers here.
- All students — especially those with busy schedules or home lives — can take advantage of our
online courses and degree paths.
FAQ: Will my diploma say "The Ohio State University," no matter which campus I graduate from? Yes! It's one Ohio State.
