The real 4-year cost of Ohio State University-Main Campus in Ohio
Over the 18 years from 2008 to 2026, published tuition and required fees at Ohio State University-Main Campus went from $8,679 to $14,050, an average of 3.1% a year. The 2026–27 figure is the school's own announced rate.
2026–27 rate announced: $14,050On-campus rate for students beginning summer 2026 or after; includes instructional, general, student activity, student union, recreational and COTA fees; non-resident total includes surcharge. Semester figures x2.source
Read with care: this school's history shows a tuition freeze or guarantee, so a smooth projection may not hold.
2008–2030: history and projection
| Year | Published | Projected estimate | Estimate range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $8,679 | – | – |
| 2009 | $8,679 | – | – |
| 2010 | $9,420 | – | – |
| 2011 | $9,735 | – | – |
| 2012 | $10,037 | – | – |
| 2013 | $10,037 | – | – |
| 2014 | $10,037 | – | – |
| 2015 | $10,037 | – | – |
| 2016 | $10,037 | – | – |
| 2017 | $10,592 | – | – |
| 2018 | $10,726 | – | – |
| 2019 | $11,084 | – | – |
| 2020 | $11,518 | – | – |
| 2021 | $11,936 | – | – |
| 2022 | $12,485 | – | – |
| 2023 | $12,859 | – | – |
| 2026 | $14,050 | $14,050 | – |
| 2027 | – | $14,486 | $14,157–$14,815 |
| 2028 | – | $14,936 | $14,265–$15,622 |
| 2029 | – | $15,400 | $14,374–$16,473 |
| 2030 | – | $15,878 | $14,484–$17,370 |
If you pay full sticker
Projected tuition + fees, entering fall 2026.
| Year 1 | $14,050 |
| Year 2 | $14,486 |
| Year 3 | $14,936 |
| Year 4 | $15,400 |
| 4-year total | $58,872 |
Two aid scenarios
4-year out-of-pocket total.
- $10,000/yr flat scholarship
- $18,872
- Flat aid doesn't grow, so it covers less each year.
- 50%-of-tuition scholarship
- $31,801
- Percentage aid keeps pace with tuition.
On-campus housing & meals
Room & board (housing plus the standard meal plan), on top of tuition.
- Announced 2026–27
- $15,738/ yr
- rising 2.7% / yr
- Projected 4-year add-on
- $65,574
School’s own published rateMost common housing and dining program, Columbus campus.source
Books & supplies typically add ~$1,200 a year (national median, not included).
Run your own numbers
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See my 4-year cost at Ohio State University-Main Campus4-year schools with similar prices in Ohio
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Use this data
Published figures for Ohio State University-Main Campus from federal IPEDS data through 2023, free to download or embed with attribution. The embed stays current as the data updates.