Ohio State vs Purdue

Ohio State University-Main Campus and Purdue University-Main Campus, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Ohio State, located in Columbus, boasts a larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Purdue, situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Ohio State is renowned for its programs in business, engineering, and health sciences, while Purdue is known for its strengths in engineering, technology, and agriculture. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student demographics, graduation rates, and popular majors, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Ohio State University-Main Campus	Purdue University-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Columbus, Ohio	West Lafayette, Indiana
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	91.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	57.2%	68.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1250 - 1440	1190 - 1430
ACT range	26 - 32	26 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	21.0%	62.0%
Students submitting ACT score	64.0%	31.0%
Total number of applicants	58,180	59,436
Total number of admissions given out	33,269	40,898
Admitted students who chose to enroll	8,423	10,278
Yield rate	25.3%	25.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,796 Out of state: $50,879	In state: $22,812 Out of state: $41,614
Average net price	$19,474	$14,619
Tuition	In state: $11,018 Out of state: $34,101	In state: $9,718 Out of state: $28,520
Room & board	$13,392	Room/dormitory: $4,860 Meal plan: $5,398
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	72.0% Average amount $11,830	68.0% Average amount $7,324
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $5,228	29.0% Average amount $5,101
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $17,841	7.0% Average amount $18,535

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	47,106 Men 50.3% Women 49.7%	37,806 Men 57.8% Women 42.2%
Graduate students	14,571 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%	12,538 Men 57.5% Women 42.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	25.1%	51.2%
International students	9.1%	17.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	15,129	15,597
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Ohio New York Illinois New Jersey Pennsylvania	Indiana Illinois California New Jersey Ohio

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Education Business Public Administration and Social Service	Engineering Business Health Professions Agriculture Education
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	82.7%
Dropout rate	3.8%	16.0%
Transferred out	7.1%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $232,029 Year 2: $248,619 Year 3: $267,734 Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $177,325 Year 3: $228,908 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $116,968 Year 2: $121,226 Year 3: $143,684 Veterinary Medicine (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $155,311 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $132,262 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $108,826 Year 2: $104,749 Year 3: $125,137 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $99,951 Year 2: $120,498 Year 3: $122,881 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,639 Year 2: $108,577 Year 3: $115,825 Physics (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,371 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $107,219 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $89,790 Year 2: $99,983 Year 3: $105,922 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,188 Year 2: $87,470 Year 3: $100,687	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $86,594 Year 2: $112,363 Year 3: $123,756 Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,166 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $110,527 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,310 Year 2: $88,342 Year 3: $105,735 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,040 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $104,408 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,895 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $101,018 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,749 Year 2: $85,981 Year 3: $94,727 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $84,821 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $89,107 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,034 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $88,209 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,843 Year 2: $72,448 Year 3: $85,950 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,780 Year 2: $70,057 Year 3: $79,694

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Ohio State and Purdue?

Ohio State University (OSU) is a large, comprehensive public university located in Columbus, Ohio, known for its broad range of academic programs, strong athletics, and vibrant campus life. Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is also a large public university, but it's particularly renowned for its STEM programs, especially engineering and agriculture. While both offer a wide array of majors, Purdue has a stronger emphasis and reputation in technical fields, while OSU excels across a broader spectrum, including humanities, social sciences, and medicine.
Which university is better for engineering?

Purdue University is generally considered to have a stronger and more prestigious engineering program than Ohio State. Purdue consistently ranks among the top engineering schools in the nation, particularly in fields like aerospace, mechanical, and electrical engineering. While Ohio State has a respectable engineering program, Purdue's focus and resources in this area give it a competitive edge.
How do the campus environments compare?

Ohio State's campus is located in a large city (Columbus), offering a more urban environment with access to numerous cultural and entertainment opportunities. Purdue's campus is in West Lafayette, a smaller college town, providing a more focused and traditional college experience. OSU's campus is larger and more integrated into the city, while Purdue's campus feels more self-contained.
What are the differences in tuition and cost of attendance?

Tuition and cost of attendance can vary depending on residency status and specific programs. Generally, both universities have similar tuition rates for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at Purdue tends to be slightly higher than at Ohio State. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date and accurate cost information, considering factors like room and board, fees, and personal expenses.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both Ohio State and Purdue are major research universities with significant research funding and activity. Purdue is particularly strong in engineering, technology, and agricultural research. Ohio State has a broader research portfolio, encompassing medicine, social sciences, and humanities in addition to STEM fields. The 'stronger' focus depends on the specific research area you're interested in.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Both Ohio State and Purdue have strong athletic programs and are members of the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State is particularly known for its football program, which has a long history of success and national championships. Purdue also has a competitive athletic program, especially in basketball. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity sports and attract a large and passionate fan base.
What is the student life like at each university?

Ohio State offers a vibrant and diverse student life with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and activities. Its location in Columbus provides access to a thriving city with numerous cultural and entertainment options. Purdue also has a strong sense of community and offers a variety of student organizations and activities. While West Lafayette is a smaller town, it caters to the student population and provides a close-knit college experience. Both universities have active Greek life and offer numerous opportunities for students to get involved.
Which university is better for international students?

Both Ohio State and Purdue welcome a large number of international students and offer resources and support services to help them succeed. Purdue has a long-standing reputation for attracting international students, particularly in engineering and STEM fields. Ohio State also has a diverse international student population and offers a wide range of programs and services to support them. The 'better' choice depends on the specific program of study and the individual student's needs and preferences.
How do the career services compare?

Both Ohio State and Purdue offer comprehensive career services to help students prepare for their careers. These services include career counseling, resume workshops, mock interviews, and job fairs. Purdue's career services are particularly strong in connecting students with opportunities in engineering and technology. Ohio State's career services cover a broader range of industries and professions, reflecting the university's diverse academic programs. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can provide valuable career connections.
What are the acceptance rates for Ohio State and Purdue?

Acceptance rates can fluctuate from year to year. Generally, Ohio State's acceptance rate is slightly higher than Purdue's, making Purdue marginally more selective. However, both universities are considered competitive, and admission depends on a variety of factors, including academic record, standardized test scores (if required), extracurricular activities, and essays. Check the official admissions websites for the most current acceptance rate data.

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