Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Ohio State University-Main Campus worth it?
Pay $17,339/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $60,409 ten years out — about 3.5× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Ohio avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Ohio college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Ohio avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $17,339 | $19,055 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $60,409 | $50,599 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $19,976 | $21,844 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 87.7% | 47.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 60.6% | 72.8% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $121,220 over four years. Most students get $12,966/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $19,976 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 33% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Ohio State University-Main Campus grad earns about $616,360 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Ohio State University-Main Campus
The average student at Ohio State University-Main Campus pays $17,339 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $30,305 published sticker price. That is below the OH average net price of $19,055.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $60,409 — above the OH median of $50,599. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $19,976, roughly $217 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 33% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Ohio colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Ohio State University-Main Campus.
Columbus, OH · Private Non-Profit Mount Carmel College of Nursing A+ 
Marion, OH · Public Ohio State University-Marion Campus A 
Middletown, OH · Public Miami University-Middletown A Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $17,339 per year. That's $12,966/yr in financial aid against the $30,305 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $69,356.
How much do Ohio State University-Main Campus graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Ohio State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $60,409 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.5× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Ohio State University-Main Campus graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $19,976 — about $217/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 28.8% of students take federal loans.
Is Ohio State University-Main Campus worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Ohio State University-Main Campus a value grade of B — top 38% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $17,339/yr, earn $60,409/yr ten years out, ROI score of 8.71. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
20.2% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 28.8% take federal student loans. On average, students get $12,966 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
In-state tuition is $13,244 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $40,022 per year — a difference of $26,778/yr or $107,112 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $4,885. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $27,359. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →