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College Comparison

Ohio State University vs University of Colorado Boulder: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

School

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricOhio StateCU Boulder
Acceptance Rate50.8%wins83.3%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1330–1480wins1230–1420
ACT Range (25th–75th)29–32wins28–33
Tuition (Out-of-State)$38,365wins$41,943
Avg Net Price$18,292wins$21,480
Median Earnings (10 yr)$60,409$69,738wins
Graduation Rate87.7%wins75.0%
Retention Rate94.1%wins89.2%
Student–Faculty Ratio18:1wins19:1
Total Enrollment44,617wins31,578

Verdict

Based on the data above, Ohio State edges out CU Boulder on 9 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Ohio State Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 50.8%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1330–1480
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 29–32
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $38,365

CU Boulder Strengths

  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $69,738

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