Ohio State University: A Student Body Of Thousands

The Ohio State University (OSU) is a large public university in Columbus, Ohio, with a total enrollment of 66,901 students as of 2024-25. The university has a large undergraduate population of 45,728 students and a graduate population of 14,318. OSU is one of the largest universities in the US by enrollment and offers over 200 undergraduate majors and more than 400 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Undergraduate and graduate enrollment

Ohio State's enrollment numbers have been steadily increasing over the years, with total enrollment for 2024-25 reported to be 66,901, a 2.3% increase from 2023. This includes a record first-year class of 9,530 students, the largest in the university's 154-year history. Graduate student enrollment also reached a record high of 11,408 students.

The university consists of sixteen colleges and offers over 400 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate majors, as well as a Personalized Study Program where students can design a nontraditional education. Additionally, the university offers a variety of graduate programs through highly ranked schools such as the College of Education and Human Ecology, Max M. Fisher College of Business, and College of Medicine.

With a large student population, Ohio State is committed to providing a range of housing options. The university operates 41 on-campus residence halls divided into three geographic clusters: South Campus, North Campus, and West Campus. There is also separate housing for graduate and professional students, as well as family housing options.

Gender distribution

Ohio State University is a large public university located in Columbus, Ohio. As of 2022, it is one of the largest universities in the United States in terms of enrollment, with a total student population of 61,683 students across all campuses.

The gender distribution at Ohio State University is relatively balanced, with a slight majority of female students. Out of the total student population, 32,422 are male students, which is approximately 52.56% of the student body. In comparison, there are 29,261 female students, constituting around 47.44% of the total enrollment. This data includes all students across the various campuses and programs offered by the university.

When broken down by degree level, the gender distribution varies slightly. At the undergraduate level, male students outnumber female students. As of autumn 2022, there were 21,414 male undergraduate students and 18,520 female undergraduate students, indicating a higher proportion of males pursuing bachelor's degrees. This trend is particularly noticeable in certain colleges and departments. For example, in the College of Engineering, male students comprise around 70% of the undergraduate population.

However, at the graduate level, the gender distribution shifts. Female students predominate in several graduate programs and overall constitute a slightly higher proportion of master's and doctoral students. As of autumn 2022, there were 7,419 male graduate students and 7,854 female graduate students across all programs. This shift is more apparent in specific graduate programs. For instance, in the College of Education and Human Ecology, female students represent over 80% of the graduate student population.

Ohio State University also offers a range of professional programs, including law, medicine, and veterinary medicine. In these professional programs, the gender distribution varies significantly. For example, in the College of Medicine, male and female students are almost equally represented, with a slight majority of male students (53%). In contrast, the Moritz College of Law has a higher proportion of female students, comprising nearly 55% of the enrolled class.

The university's gender distribution also reflects broader trends in higher education. Nationwide, female students have been outnumbering male students in college enrollments for several decades. However, the gender breakdown varies depending on the field of study and degree level. Ohio State University's diverse range of programs and campuses attracts a wide range of students, contributing to a dynamic and varied student population.

On- and off-campus housing

The Ohio State University has a large student population, with a total of 66,901 enrolled students as of 2024-25. This includes 45,728 undergraduate students and 14,318 graduate students. Of these students, 32% live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, while 66% live off-campus.

On-Campus Housing

The Ohio State University offers on-campus housing options for its students, with a variety of residence halls and dormitories available. The university provides a range of housing options, including apartments for single students (5%), cooperative housing (1%), and special housing for disabled and international students (1%).

Off-Campus Housing

For those who prefer to live off-campus, The Ohio State University has an extensive Off-Campus Housing Network. This network establishes criteria for off-campus property owners to ensure that students have access to safe and suitable housing options. The university provides resources to help students find housing and roommates, as well as guidance on safe practices and being a responsible member of the Buckeye community.

The Off-Campus Housing Search can be a challenging process, and it is recommended that students start their search a year in advance. While it is possible to find housing later in the year, the commute tends to be longer, and the closer apartments and houses to campus are generally more expensive.

There are a variety of off-campus housing options available, including studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, 4-bedroom, and larger units. The average rent for these units can range from $472 for a 5+ bedroom apartment to $761 for a 1-bedroom apartment.

Overall, The Ohio State University offers a range of on- and off-campus housing options to accommodate its large and diverse student population. With a mix of residence halls, apartments, and off-campus housing, students can find the living situation that best suits their needs and preferences.

Record first-year enrollment

The Ohio State University (OSU) has reported a record first-year enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year. The class of 9,530 students is the largest in the university's 154-year history, with a total enrollment of 66,901 students across all campuses. This represents a 2.3% increase from the previous year.

The record first-year enrollment is attributed to an intentional strategy by the university following the graduation of one of its largest classes and two years of reducing the size of the first-year class. The university's regional campuses and the Ohio State ATI on the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Wooster campus have also experienced significant growth, with total new first-year students on these campuses increasing by nearly 20% over the past two years.

The Columbus campus, the main campus of the university, has seen exceptional talent in its first-year class, with 96% of students graduating in the top 25% of their high school classes and 64% in the top 10%. The average ACT and SAT scores of the incoming class remain high, at or above the 94th percentile.

The university's commitment to accessibility and affordability, with 71.1% of enrolled students being Ohio residents, is reflected in the continued growth of the Buckeye Opportunity Program. This program provides immediate financial support to eligible Ohio residents who are Pell Grant recipients and demonstrate significant need. In line with this, Ohio State expects to distribute $415 million in financial aid in 2024.

The record first-year enrollment at The Ohio State University is a testament to its reputation as one of the largest and most selective public universities in the United States, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Racial demographics

The Ohio State University (OSU) is a large public university in Columbus, Ohio, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 45,728 in Fall 2023. The university's total enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year was 66,901, including graduate students.

OSU has a racially diverse student population. The percentage of minority students in the first-year class for 2024-25 was 29.5%, consistent with previous years. The university has seen record highs in the enrollment of African American and Hispanic students, with 5,449 and 3,895 students, respectively, enrolled for the 2024-25 academic year. This reflects a commitment to diversity and inclusion, with OSU's admissions process ensuring compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Students for Fair Admissions cases.

The exact racial breakdown of the student population is not publicly available. However, OSU's student body is likely to reflect the racial demographics of Ohio, with a significant proportion of White and African American students. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2022, Ohio's population was 78.7% White, 12.9% African American, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 2.8% Asian, 0.2% Native American, and 0.1% Pacific Islander. A small percentage of the population, 1.2%, identified as belonging to two or more races, and 3.4% identified as "some other race alone."

OSU's long history, dating back to its founding in 1870, and its reputation as one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment, contribute to its diverse student body. The university's commitment to accessibility and affordability, with 71.1% of enrolled students being Ohio residents, also plays a role in shaping its racial demographics.

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