Head-to-head · 2026
Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Compare average net price ($17,339 at Ohio State University-Main Campus; $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus), ROI score (8.71 vs 4.82), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($60,409 vs $63,435), and admissions selectivity (60.6% acceptance at Ohio State University-Main Campus; 60.6% at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.71 ✓ | 4.82 |
| Avg net price | $17,339 ✓ | $32,875 |
| 4-year avg net price | $69,356 ✓ | $131,500 |
| In-state tuition | $13,244 | $20,644 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $40,022 | $41,790 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $60,409 | $63,435 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 60.6% | 60.6% |
| Graduation rate | 87.7% ✓ | 86.1% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% ✓ | 92.6% |
| Median debt | $19,976 ✓ | $25,000 |
| Enrollment | 45,638 | 42,284 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1387 | 1337 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,885 ✓ | $19,845 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,751 ✓ | $20,049 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,807 ✓ | $25,667 |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,461 ✓ | $31,834 |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,359 ✓ | $37,831 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 4.8% | 3.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.9% | 1.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.2% | 3% |
| Economics | 2.1% | 2.8% |
| Biology, General | 2.7% | 2% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 1.7% | 2.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.2% | 1% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 3.8% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Ohio State University-Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $15,536 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $62,144 difference over four years ($69,356 vs $131,500).
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reports $3,026 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,435 vs $60,409). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 94.2% at Ohio State University-Main Campus and 92.6% at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Median federal debt among completers is $19,976 vs $25,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Ohio State University-Main Campus is cheaper — average net price $17,339 per year vs $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The annual difference of $15,536 adds up to about $62,144 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,435 vs $60,409 at Ohio State University-Main Campus. The gap in the federal data is $3,026. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is more selective at 60.6% acceptance vs 60.6% at Ohio State University-Main Campus.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.