Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs Ohio State University-Main Campus
Torn between these two? Here's how they stack up on what actually matters - what you'll pay, what graduates earn, and which one gives you the better return - all on U.S. Department of Education data.
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
On the numbers, Ohio State University-Main Campus comes out ahead: 77/100 to 62/100, a 15-point edge over Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. That gap comes from real differences in what each one costs, what its graduates earn, and the debt they leave with.
Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, Ohio State University-Main Campus runs $17,339 a year against $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - $15,536 more a year, or about $62,144 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median $63,435 against $60,409 at Ohio State University-Main Campus. The cost earns itself back in 9.5 years at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and 8.2 years at Ohio State University-Main Campus.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Ohio State University-Main Campus owing a median $19,976 versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.57 and 0.48 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.
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 the clearly stronger ROI here (77 vs 62) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is noticeably better. That said, if Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap 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.