North Columbus News

Total enrollment at The Ohio State University has increased by 0.5% to reach 67,255 students for the autumn 2025 semester, according to new data released by the university. Growth was reported across undergraduate, graduate, professional, and transfer student populations.

President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. commented on the university’s progress: “We have incredible momentum right now, and I’m proud that Ohio State is the destination of choice for so many students and families, including many from right here in Ohio,” Carter said. “True to our land-grant mission, we offer an exceptional education at an affordable cost, and we have exciting plans to elevate our academic excellence and student accessibility even further. It’s a great time to be a Buckeye.”

The Columbus campus enrolled 8,210 new first-year students this fall as part of a planned class size strategy. Enrollment at Ohio State’s five regional campuses and Ohio State ATI in Wooster grew by 8.6%, totaling 5,929 students. New first-year enrollment at these regional locations rose by 15.1% compared to last year and has increased by over a third in three years.

Of the new first-year students overall, 68% are from Ohio. This group is academically strong; nearly all (97%) graduated in the top quarter of their high school class with average ACT scores of 30.6 and SAT scores averaging 1397.

Graduate student enrollment reached a record high of 11,463 students this semester.

Ohio State received a record number of applications—88,545—as it continues efforts to recruit and retain students while expanding scholarship programs and financial aid opportunities.

During his recent State of the University address, President Carter announced three new scholarship initiatives aimed at supporting more Ohio residents who attend Ohio State. The President’s Ohio Scholarship Program will provide full cost-of-attendance scholarships plus an additional $5,000 award for educational opportunities and academic support to Ohio students achieving perfect ACT or SAT scores.

The Buckeye Bridge program will pay tuition and fees for eligible Ohio residents transferring from Columbus State Community College to Ohio State. Additionally, under the Regional Campus Commitment program, tuition and fees will be covered for students from families earning $100,000 or less who begin their studies at one of the university’s regional campuses before transferring to Columbus.

The university reports continued academic success among its students with a first-year retention rate of 93.5%, which ranks among the highest rates both statewide and nationally.