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Ohio State University vs Yale University

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

52.0% Ohio State acceptance
4.4% Yale acceptance
$133,000 Ohio State cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

Ohio State
Columbus, Ohio
Public
Founded
1870
Enrollment
61,369
Setting
Urban
Yale
New Haven, Connecticut
Private
Founded
1701
Enrollment
14,776
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition Ohio State saves $27,978
Ohio State
$36,722
Yale
$64,700
Acceptance Rate Yale more selective
Ohio State
52.0%
Yale
4.4%
Graduation Rate Yale higher
Ohio State
84%
Yale
96%
Avg SAT Score Yale higher
Ohio State
1340
Yale
1540
Starting Salary Yale higher
Ohio State
$63,500
Yale
$83,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric Ohio State Yale Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$36,722$64,700Ohio State
Tuition (In-State)$12,485$64,700Ohio State
Room & Board$13,928$19,200Ohio State
Acceptance Rate52.0%4.4%Yale
Graduation Rate84%96%Yale
Average SAT13401540Yale
Student-Faculty Ratio19:14:1Yale
Enrollment61,36914,776-
Avg Financial Aid$14,830$57,410Yale
Starting Salary$63,500$83,200Yale
Endowment$7.6B$41.4BYale
Campus Size1,665 acres373 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

Ohio State
$202,600
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
Yale
$335,600
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: Ohio State = $143,280 | Yale = $105,960. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

Ohio State Top Majors

BusinessPsychologyBiologyCommunicationEngineering

Yale Top Majors

EconomicsPolitical ScienceHistoryComputer ScienceBiology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
Ohio StateUrban
YaleUrban
Campus Size
Ohio State1,665 ac
Yale373 ac
Athletics
Ohio StateNCAA D1
YaleNCAA D1
Region
Ohio StateMidwest
YaleNortheast
Founded
Ohio State1870
Yale1701
Enrollment
Ohio State61,369
Yale14,776

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ohio State or Yale harder to get into?+
Yale is more selective with an acceptance rate of 4.4% compared to 52.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, Ohio State or Yale?+
At sticker price, Ohio State costs less over 4 years ($202,600 vs $335,600). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Ohio State offers an average of $14,830/year in aid while Yale offers $57,410/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for Ohio State and Yale?+
The average SAT score at Ohio State is 1340 and at Yale it is 1540. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do Ohio State or Yale graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Yale have a higher average starting salary ($83,200 vs $63,500). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
Ohio State has a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Yale has 4:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do Ohio State and Yale compare for campus life?+
Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio (urban setting) with a 1,665-acre campus. Yale is in New Haven, Connecticut (urban setting) with 373 acres. Ohio State competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Yale in NCAA D1.