Student Financial Aid

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Ohio State determines the amount of financial aid you're eligible for by estimating the Cost of Attendance for the average student, then subtracting your Student Aid Index, taken from your FAFSA.

Cost of Attendance - Student Aid Index = Financial Need

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance (COA) consists of the sum of educational costs payable to the school (also referred to as direct or billable costs) and costs paid to others (or indirect, non-billable or discretionary) costs. The Cost of Attendance represents the highest dollar amount of financial aid a student can receive during an academic year. 

Student Aid Index (SAI)

The SAI is the eligibility index used to determine your eligibility for federal, and in some instances, state and institutional need-based student financial aid. Generally, students with a higher SAI are eligible for less need-based financial aid. It is based upon the information provided by the student and their family on the FAFSA.

Financial Need

The SAI is subtracted from the COA to establish your financial need, which determines how much need-based aid you are eligible for each academic year.

Cost of Attendance 2025-2026 Academic Year

Ohio State University full-time, two semester academic year costs* reflected below may vary by program, credit hours enrolled, and living expenses (housing, food/dining) options.

Columbus campus

Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living on campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$13,640 
Living expenses: housing and food
$15,178
Indirect Costs
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,686
Transportation
$732
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $33,296

Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living off campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$13,640
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food$14,578
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,918
Transportation
$732
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $32,928

Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living with parent or guardian
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees $13,640
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food$5,818
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses$2,918
Transportation
$2,664
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $26,100

Incoming Freshmen, Non-Ohio resident: Living on campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$13,640
Non-resident fees $28,782
Living expenses: housing and food $15,178
Indirect Costs
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,686
Transportation
$1,360
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $62,706

Regional campus and ATI

Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living on campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$9,772
Living expenses: housing and food
$12,652
Indirect Costs
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,686
Transportation
$756
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $26,926

Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living off campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$9,772
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food
$10,888
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,918
Transportation
$1,386
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $26,024

Incoming Freshmen, Ohio resident: Living with parent or guardian
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees $9,772
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food$4,964
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses$2,918
Transportation
$4,176
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $22,890

Incoming Freshmen, Non-Ohio resident: Living on campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$9,772
Non-resident fees $28,782
Living expenses: housing and food $12,652
Indirect Costs
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,686
Transportation
$1,360
Federal student loan fees
$40
Total Estimated Cost $56,312

Incoming Freshmen, Non-Ohio resident: Living off campus
CategoryEstimated Cost
Direct Costs
Tuition and fees$9,772
Non-resident fees
$28,782
Indirect Costs
Living expenses: housing and food
$10,888
Books, supplies and equipment$1,020
Miscellaneous personal expenses
$2,918
Transportation
$1,360
Federal student loan fees$40
Total Estimated Cost $54,780

*Final tuition and fees are approved annually during the May Board of Trustees meeting and may be subject to change.