Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs Ohio State University-Main Campus
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Ohio State University-Main Campus holds a 15-point ROI advantage over Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, scoring 77/100 versus 62/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Ohio State University-Main Campus comes in at $17,339 per year (net price after aid) versus $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - a difference of $15,536 annually, or roughly $62,144 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $63,435 compared to $60,409 at Ohio State University-Main Campus. The payback period is 9.5 years at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus versus 8.2 years at Ohio State University-Main Campus.
Graduates leave Ohio State University-Main Campus with a median $19,976 in debt versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.57 and 0.48 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Pennsylvania State Univer... | Ohio State University-Mai... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $20,644 | $13,244 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,790 | $40,022 |
| Net Price (avg) | $32,875 | $17,339 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $131,500 | $69,356 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,600 | $41,500 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,435 | $60,409 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.1% | 87.7% |
| Payback Period | 9.5 yr | 8.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $25,000 | $19,976 |
| Monthly Payment | $265 | $212 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.57 | 0.48 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 79.3% | 74.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.8% | 68.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 60.6% | 60.6% |
| Enrollment | 42,284 | 45,638 |
| SAT Range | 1240-1420 | 1310-1480 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Pennsylvania State U... | Ohio State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $19,845 | $4,885 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $20,049 | $5,751 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $25,667 | $9,807 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $31,834 | $20,461 |
| $110,001+ | $37,831 | $27,359 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Pennsylvania State U... | Ohio State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $112,269 | $123,731 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $120,729 | $118,833 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $73,308 | $111,500 |
| Management Information Systems | $95,935 | $110,192 |
| Industrial Engineering | $104,758 | $106,932 |
| Chemical Engineering | $103,728 | $98,851 |
| Engineering, Other | $102,134 | $97,144 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $100,416 | $90,065 |
| Electrical Engineering | $93,277 | $99,400 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $99,159 | $92,999 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $96,714 | $97,986 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,997 | $96,418 |
| Physics | $81,763 | $94,543 |
| Registered Nursing | $91,032 | $81,795 |
| Accounting | $88,192 | $90,850 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Pennsylvania State U... | Ohio State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 46 | 78 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 64 | 74 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 58 | 77 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 95 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 68 | 54 |
| Overall ROI Score | 62 | 77 |
The Verdict
Ohio State University-Main Campus has a meaningfully higher ROI score (77 vs 62). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.