Ohio State vs Texas A & M University-College Station (TAMU)

Ohio State University-Main Campus and Texas A & M University-College Station, two prominent public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Ohio State, located in Columbus, Ohio, boasts a larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Texas A & M, situated in College Station, Texas. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Ohio State is renowned for its programs in engineering, business, and health sciences, while Texas A & M is known for its strengths in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. 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	Texas A & M University-College Station
Overview
Location	Columbus, Ohio	College Station, Texas
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
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%	93.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	57.2%	64.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1250 - 1440	1140 - 1380
ACT range	26 - 32	25 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	21.0%	72.0%
Students submitting ACT score	64.0%	28.0%
Total number of applicants	58,180	43,763
Total number of admissions given out	33,269	28,132
Admitted students who chose to enroll	8,423	12,323
Yield rate	25.3%	43.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,796 Out of state: $50,879	In state: $31,703 Out of state: $58,598
Average net price	$19,474	$22,253
Tuition	In state: $11,018 Out of state: $34,101	In state: $9,339 Out of state: $36,234
Room & board	$13,392	$11,400
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	72.0% Average amount $11,830	64.0% Average amount $10,877
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $5,228	27.0% Average amount $5,082
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $17,841	6.0% Average amount $17,615

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	47,106 Men 50.3% Women 49.7%	56,723 Men 52.9% Women 47.1%
Graduate students	14,571 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%	15,807 Men 52.3% Women 47.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	25.1%	4.9%
International students	9.1%	6.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	15,129	11,342
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	Texas California Louisiana Virginia Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Education Business Public Administration and Social Service	Engineering Business Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	83.4%
Dropout rate	3.8%	3.0%
Transferred out	7.1%	12.8%
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: $123,529 Year 2: $134,726 Year 3: $134,672 Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $199,818 Year 2: $144,240 Year 3: $132,724 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,892 Year 2: $105,083 Year 3: $132,550 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,294 Year 2: $115,761 Year 3: $126,377 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,377 Year 2: $92,124 Year 3: $105,826 Real Estate (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,282 Year 2: $82,685 Year 3: $97,319 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $87,907 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $96,092 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,110 Year 2: $80,669 Year 3: $95,309 Marine Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,754 Year 2: $86,129 Year 3: $94,608 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,783 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $92,911

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Ohio State University (OSU) and Texas A&M University (TAMU)?

Ohio State University (OSU) is a large, public research university located in Columbus, Ohio, known for its strong programs in business, engineering, and medicine, as well as its vibrant urban campus. Texas A&M University (TAMU), located in College Station, Texas, is also a large, public research university, but it's distinguished by its strong traditions, particularly within its Corps of Cadets, and its renowned programs in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. OSU tends to have a more diverse student body geographically, while TAMU draws heavily from within Texas. The campus environments also differ, with OSU being more integrated into a major city and TAMU having a more self-contained, campus-centric feel.
Which university is larger, Ohio State or Texas A&M?

Texas A&M University generally has a larger student body than Ohio State University. While enrollment numbers can fluctuate, TAMU typically enrolls more undergraduate and graduate students overall.
How do the academic reputations of Ohio State and Texas A&M compare?

Both Ohio State and Texas A&M are highly regarded public research universities. Ohio State is often recognized for its business, law, and medical programs, while Texas A&M is particularly strong in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. Both universities consistently rank well nationally and internationally, and the 'better' school depends on your specific field of study.
What is the campus culture like at each university?

Ohio State offers a vibrant, urban campus experience with a diverse student body and a wide range of extracurricular activities, including a strong Greek life and a passionate sports culture. Texas A&M is known for its strong traditions, sense of community, and the prominent role of the Corps of Cadets. The 'Aggie Spirit' is a defining characteristic of TAMU's campus culture, emphasizing loyalty, respect, and selfless service. While both have strong school spirit, TAMU's is often considered more tradition-bound.
How do the costs of attending Ohio State and Texas A&M compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, for in-state students, Texas A&M may have a slightly lower tuition cost than Ohio State. However, out-of-state tuition at both universities is significant. It's important to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website and factor in living expenses, which can vary depending on lifestyle and location (Columbus, OH vs. College Station, TX).
What are the strengths of Ohio State's academic programs?

Ohio State University excels in a wide range of academic areas. It is particularly strong in business (Fisher College of Business), engineering (College of Engineering), medicine (College of Medicine), law (Moritz College of Law), and the arts and sciences. OSU also has a renowned cancer research center (The James) and a highly regarded agriculture program.
What are the strengths of Texas A&M's academic programs?

Texas A&M University is renowned for its programs in engineering (College of Engineering), agriculture and life sciences (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), veterinary medicine (College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences), and geosciences (College of Geosciences). The university also has strong programs in business (Mays Business School) and architecture.
How does the location of each university impact student life?

Ohio State's location in Columbus, Ohio, provides students with access to a major metropolitan area, offering diverse cultural experiences, internship opportunities, and job prospects. The urban setting provides a wide array of entertainment, dining, and shopping options. Texas A&M's location in College Station, Texas, offers a more traditional college town experience. While College Station is growing, it is primarily a university town, fostering a strong sense of community and campus-centric activities. The proximity to major Texas cities like Houston and Austin provides access to additional opportunities.
What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available at each university?

Both Ohio State and Texas A&M offer a variety of financial aid options, including need-based grants, merit-based scholarships, and student loans. Both universities encourage students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal and state aid. Additionally, both universities offer institutional scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership, and other criteria. It's best to check each university's financial aid website for specific details and deadlines.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare between Ohio State and Texas A&M?

Both Ohio State and Texas A&M have comprehensive career services departments that offer resources such as career counseling, resume workshops, mock interviews, and job fairs. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can assist students in their job search. Job placement rates are generally high at both institutions, particularly in their respective areas of strength (e.g., engineering at TAMU, business at OSU). Specific placement rates vary by program, so it's advisable to check the career services websites for detailed statistics.
What are the notable traditions at Ohio State and Texas A&M?

Ohio State is known for traditions like Script Ohio (marching band formation), Carmen Ohio (school song), and the rivalry game against the University of Michigan. Texas A&M is steeped in tradition, including Muster (a memorial ceremony), the Aggie Ring (a symbol of Aggie pride), and the 12th Man (representing the student body's support for the football team). The Corps of Cadets plays a significant role in many of TAMU's traditions.
Which university might be a better fit for me?

The best fit depends on your individual preferences and academic goals. If you're seeking a vibrant urban environment with a wide range of academic programs and a diverse student body, Ohio State might be a good choice. If you prefer a strong sense of community, deeply rooted traditions, and programs focused on agriculture, engineering, or veterinary medicine, Texas A&M might be a better fit. Consider visiting both campuses, if possible, to get a feel for the atmosphere and culture.

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