Key differences on Cost & aid
- 1
Ohio State costs about $14.1K less per year on average than Pennsylvania State ($30,715 vs. $44,836, all students)
Average cost, all students - 2
Ohio State's grants cover 23% of its full price on average, vs. 9% at Pennsylvania State
Aid generosity
Cost & aid
Cost & aid
Average cost, aid generosity, net price by family income, sticker prices, and grants.
What students pay
Grants
Sticker prices
On one scale, so the bars read against each other.
Up to $110K: the average net price per year for students receiving federal aid, 2023–24; families who didn't file the FAFSA aren't included. Above it the published data end. For your own number, use the college's net price calculator .
Family income per year $150K
- Pennsylvania StateLittle need-based aid above $110K
- Ohio StateLittle need-based aid above $110K
Published (federal figure, up to $110K) EstimateBars share one scale: the largest full price.
Where need-based aid ends, merit, and published promises
| Metric | Pennsylvania State | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| Need-based aid up to | Little need-based aid above $110K | Little need-based aid above $110K |
| Merit for students without need | – | – |
| Published promise | – | – |
A college's own promise is stated for a typical family and changes yearly; where a promise and our estimate disagree, the promise wins. Merit has no income limit, so it can lower the price above the point where need-based aid ends.
Tuition guarantee & Promise program
| Metric | Pennsylvania State | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition guarantee | No | Yes |
| Promise program | No | No |
From the colleges' Common Data Sets
| Metric | Pennsylvania State | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| Aid forms | FAFSA | – |
| Aid priority date or deadline | – | – |
| Need met, first-years | 62% | – |
| Average aid package, first-years | $10,885 | – |
| College grant dollars given as merit | 22% | – |
| Aid for international students | Not offered | – |
Sources:IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey, 2023–24;College Scorecard, 2023–24;Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Common Data Set 2022–23, Fall 2023 entrants;Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Common Data Set 2022–23, 2022–23;College Scorecard, most recent release;Common Data Set, most recent releaseAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why