Campus Living: Ohio State University's On-Campus Student Population

The Ohio State University, a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest universities in the United States by enrolment. The university has a total undergraduate enrolment of 45,728 (as of Fall 2023), with 32% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 66% living off-campus. The university's strategy aims to increase enrolment and retention, with a record first-year class of 9,530 students for the Columbus campus in 2024, the largest in the university's history.

OSU's on-campus housing

OSUs On-Campus Housing

The Ohio State University (OSU) offers a variety of on-campus housing options to accommodate its large student population. As of Fall 2023, OSU had a total undergraduate enrollment of 45,728 students, with 32% living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing. The university operates 41 on-campus residence halls, divided into three geographic clusters: South Campus, North Campus, and West Campus.

South Campus

South Campus is the site of the university's original dormitories and has several residence halls, including Baker Hall, Canfield Hall, and Paterson Hall. It is located south of the Oval, the historical center of the campus.

North Campus

North Campus was largely constructed during the post-war enrollment boom and features residence halls such as Archer House, Barrett House, and Jones Tower. It forms the northwestern corner of the North Campus, along with the Fisher College of Business and Hitchcock Hall.

West Campus

West Campus, also known as "The Towers," includes Lincoln Tower and Morrill Tower. It is located west of the Oval.

In addition to the traditional residence halls, OSU also offers special housing options for students with specific needs. This includes special housing for disabled students and international students. The university also provides family housing at Buckeye Village, located at the far northern edge of the campus beyond the athletic complex.

Off-campus living

The Ohio State University has a large student population, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 45,728 in Fall 2023. While the university requires all freshmen to live on campus (unless they are from Central Ohio and can commute), many students choose to move off-campus for their later years of study.

The Ohio State University Off-Campus Housing Network provides resources and support for students seeking off-campus accommodation. They offer guidance on finding housing and roommates, as well as information on safe practices and being a good neighbour in the Buckeye community.

Students are advised to start their search for off-campus housing early, as the hunt for the next academic year often begins as early as the previous August. The most ambitious students sign leases in November, while most OSU students start signing between December and February. A range of options are available, from studios to 10-bedroom rentals, with prices varying depending on location and the number of roommates. For example, the average rent for a studio apartment in Columbus is $665, while a 4-bedroom apartment averages $560.

Students can find off-campus housing options through various platforms, such as College Pads, which offers a map of verified housing rentals near campus, as well as roommate and sublease finders. Additionally, The Ohio State University Off-Campus Housing Network has a list of "in-network" properties that meet certain criteria established by the university for off-campus property owners.

With a vibrant campus life, a strong academic profile, and a range of off-campus housing options, The Ohio State University provides a well-rounded and engaging experience for its diverse student body.

First-year students

The Ohio State University, also known as OSU, is a public institution founded in 1870. OSU has a total undergraduate enrollment of 45,728 as of Fall 2023, with a campus size of 1,714 acres. The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is #41 in National Universities.

All first-year students at OSU are required to live on campus, unless they are from Central Ohio and can commute. The university offers a First-Year Experience program to help new students navigate their first semester of college, which can be overwhelming. The program includes welcome events, early arrival activities, and assigning each first-year student a peer mentor to help them settle in and answer any questions.

The class of 2028, with 9,530 incoming undergraduates, is the largest in OSU's history, with a record-breaking 19.4% increase in new first-year students compared to the previous year. This large first-year class has greatly contributed to the total number of students on campus, which now stands at 46,815 undergraduate students.

The first-year students at OSU are a talented group, with 96% graduating in the top quarter of their respective high school classes, and 64% in the top 10%. The university's admissions process aims to serve Ohio residents and recruit the best and brightest students. As a result, 71.1% of the first-year class are Ohio residents, with the remaining consisting of out-of-state (19.4%) and international students (9.4%).

The university offers over 200 undergraduate majors, as well as a Personalized Study Program for students who want to design a nontraditional education. OSU also provides various support services and student organizations to ensure that first-year students can thrive academically and socially during their time on campus.

Graduate students

On-Campus Housing

The Ohio State University requires all unmarried, full-time students who graduated from high school within the last two years to live on campus, unless they meet certain exemption criteria. On-campus housing offers advantages such as convenient access to classes, resident advisors, and full-time professional staff in each housing complex. Additionally, students can develop lasting friendships, actively participate in student life, and join Learning Communities based on academic, cultural, or lifestyle interests.

Off-Campus Housing

For graduate students who prefer to live off-campus, The Ohio State University provides resources to assist in finding suitable accommodations. The Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services office helps students navigate the process of finding an apartment and signing a lease. The University District, Victorian Village, Short North, Riverview, and Clintonville are popular neighbourhoods for off-campus housing, offering a variety of apartment buildings, townhomes, and Victorian-style homes.

Housing for Specific Needs

The Ohio State University is committed to accommodating the diverse needs of its graduate students. They offer gender-inclusive housing options and work closely with students requesting modifications due to disabilities. The university ensures that the gender identity of incoming students is respected and that all disclosed information is kept strictly confidential.

International students

The Ohio State University is a public institution based in Columbus, Ohio, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 45,728 as of Fall 2023. The university's campus size is 1,714 acres, and it offers over 200 undergraduate majors. All freshmen must live on campus, unless they are from Central Ohio and can commute.

Ohio State is committed to becoming a preeminent global university and building a foundation that integrates international dimensions with every facet of the institution. The university is home to a large international community, with over 6,000 international students from more than 100 countries, making up 9.4% of the total undergraduate student population. The Office of International Affairs (OIA) is one of the first points of contact for international students, providing a warm welcome and supporting their transition to life on campus and in Columbus.

Ohio State offers a wide range of programs and support services for international students. The American Language Program is a pre-admission intensive English program for language and academic preparation, while the ESL Composition program offers writing support for graduate and undergraduate students. The Spoken English Program provides coursework and tutoring for international teaching assistants, and the Writing Center offers free writing help for all students.

With a convenient urban campus location, a diverse range of academic programs, and a strong commitment to its international community, Ohio State offers a rich and rewarding experience for its international students.

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