The Ohio State University SAT & ACT Scores
Ohio State's Columbus campus requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027 first-year applicants. In the fall 2025 entering class, enrolled students who sent SAT scores had a middle-half range of 1300–1440 with a median of 1380, and ACT senders scored 27–32. Ohio State admitted 49.2% of first-year applicants to Columbus that year.
Where does your score land?
Compared with The Ohio State University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is The Ohio State University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Ohio State requires the ACT or SAT from all first-year applicants to the Columbus campus, except applicants who will have been out of high school for two or more years when they enroll; regional campuses and ATI do not consider scores.
Superscoring. The Ohio State University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on The Ohio State University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Autumn 2026 entryRequired policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsRequired
Ohio State brought back its testing requirement starting with the 2026 admissions cycle, ending a test-optional pilot that began in 2020. The requirement covers every program and degree type at the Columbus campus, and the international application page lists it too. Applicants who will have been out of high school for at least two years by the time they enroll do not have to submit scores. Ohio State superscores both tests, combining your highest section scores across test dates, and scores must be sent directly by the testing agency. Ohio State's regional campuses and Ohio State ATI do not consider test scores for admission.
The Ohio State University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1300–1440, and the median was 1380.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1300 | 1380 | 1440 |
| Reading & Writing | 640 | 680 | 720 |
| Math | 650 | 700 | 740 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students (Columbus) who submitted scores; this class applied while testing was optional, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set (Columbus campus). 25% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Among enrolled first-years in the fall 2025 entering class who submitted the SAT, the median was 1380. A quarter scored 1300 or lower, and a quarter scored 1440 or higher. Reading and Writing ran 640–720, and Math ran 650–740.
25% of those students sent an SAT score. Classes that entered before fall 2026 applied while testing was optional, so their ranges describe only students who chose to submit. Under the current requirement, ranges for later classes will cover every enrolled student, which may shift them.
Ohio State's admissions site also publishes score ranges for admitted students, a different group from the enrolled students in the 2025–26 Common Data Set (Columbus campus). Use either set as a guide, not a cutoff: Ohio State says it has no minimum ACT or SAT score.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
The Ohio State University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 27–32 on the ACT, with a median of 30.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 27 | 30 | 32 |
| English | 25 | — | 34 |
| Math | 26 | — | 32 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students (Columbus) who submitted scores; this class applied while testing was optional, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set (Columbus campus). 42% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
ACT senders in the fall 2025 entering class had a composite range of 27–32 and a median of 30. English scores ran 25–34, and Math scores ran 26–32.
42% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score. Ohio State does not need the ACT science section, since it no longer counts toward the composite, and it does not require the essay on either test. Because Ohio State superscores the ACT across test dates, a retake gives you another chance to raise individual section scores.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
The Ohio State University acceptance rate
Moderately competitive: 49.2% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants81,392
- Admitted40,047
- Acceptance rate49.2%
- Testing for fall 2027Required
Early application plans: Non-binding Early Action (autumn term, not restrictive) and Regular Decision; no Early Decision.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: The Ohio State University 2025–26 Common Data Set (Columbus campus).
Ohio State offers non-binding Early Action for autumn applicants, plus Regular Decision; there is no Early Decision. Applying Early Action is how you are considered for university merit scholarships, the Honors and Scholars programs and majors in the College of Engineering, among other programs.
What to aim for
Since you must send a score, plan your testing early. An SAT at or above 1380 or an ACT at or above 30 puts you at the middle of recent enrolled submitters, and 1440 or 32 puts you in the top quarter. If you want to apply Early Action, test early enough that your scores reach Ohio State by the Early Action deadline.
Ohio State says test scores are one part of a holistic review. It also looks at your high school performance, including Honors, AP and IB courses, its minimum college prep requirements, your personal essay, and your activities, leadership, work and family responsibilities.
How The Ohio State University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fordham University | 47.2% | — | 1355–1470 | 31–34 | Test-optional |
| Stony Brook University | 48.2% | 1410 | 1350–1470 | 30–34 | Test-optional |
| Syracuse University | 48.8% | 1350 | 1300–1410 | 29–33 | Test-optional |
| The Ohio State University | 49.2% | 1380 | 1300–1440 | 27–32 | Required |
| Texas A&M University | 51.7% | 1280 | 1160–1390 | 24–32 | Test-optional |
| Baylor University | 52.2% | 1280 | 1190–1370 | 26–32 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is The Ohio State University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Ohio State requires the ACT or SAT from all first-year applicants to the Columbus campus, except applicants who will have been out of high school for two or more years when they enroll; regional campuses and ATI do not consider scores. The Ohio State University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at The Ohio State University?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1380 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1300–1440, so a quarter scored 1440 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for The Ohio State University?
A score at or above 1440 puts you in the top quarter of The Ohio State University's enrolled first-years, and 1300–1440 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class).
What ACT score do you need for The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 27–32, with a median of 30 (fall 2025 entering class). A 32 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is The Ohio State University's acceptance rate?
The Ohio State University admitted 49.2% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (40,047 of 81,392), which makes it moderately competitive.
How many The Ohio State University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 25% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 42% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at The Ohio State University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.