Many students and parents experience “sticker shock” when they begin the college selection process. The dollar figures representing the cost of education can be quite daunting, but they are also often misleading and incomplete. When choosing a college, families need to look beyond cost to understand the true value of attending one institution over another. For example, what is the real value of attending The Ohio State University?

All students attend college with specific outcomes in mind. Most students (and their parents) want to know that the college they select will give the student a competitive edge when they move into their career after graduation. Other students want to know that they will be prepared to move on to graduate or professional school, or that they will be able to compete for prestigious post graduate scholarships and awards. And some students want to know that their education will allow them to better understand the world in which they live, regardless of their career goals. Does Ohio State give students a competitive edge in achieving these outcomes?

Yes, Ohio State does. The combination of academic opportunity, of out-of the classroom experiences that apply classroom learning in real world environments, and of Ohio State tradition and spirit create an educational experience that few other schools can match.

Ohio State University offers the breadth of opportunity (academic, experiential and social) to help students reach their goals. Many Ohio State academic programs are nationally ranked, and our faculty do not just teach information, they create it. Often Ohio State faculty are using what they learned in their research to enhance the teaching in their classrooms. Ohio State has the classroom and laboratory infrastructure to provide students with excellent learning environments.

Ohio State will help the student learn how to connect what happens in the classroom with what happens outside of the classroom to give the student a competitive advantage. Students apply what they learn in the classroom in real world situations through research, internships and study abroad. They learn leadership, team work and how to collaborate both in the classroom and in student organizations. They learn how to navigate complexity through living, learning and working on a campus that is a microcosm of the real world.

Ohio State creates a network of alumni living across the world who share the spirit and tradition of Ohio state. These are the mentors, friends and teachers who will help students connect their educational experience to their goals. The network of Ohio State literally extends around the globe and is present on all seven continents. It is the people of Ohio State who will ultimately make the most difference in the lives of our students.

In this way, you can see that the value of the Ohio State experience is about much more than the cost of attending. So when deciding where to enroll, make sure the true value of the experience, and how that experience will give you a competitive edge, is included with the dollars and cents part of the decision.

Wherever you chose to enroll, the cost of college may appear daunting, so financial aid is available to assist with the cost of education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will determine your financial aid eligibility at OSU. This form produces a figure called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the amount you and your family will be expected to contribute toward your educational expenses. You can determine your own financial need by subtracting your EFC from the total cost of education at Ohio State.

Cost of Education
– Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
_______________________________
= Financial Need

Our Federal Work Study program allows students to gain work experience while simultaneously providing funding for educational costs. There are also scholarships, grants and loans to help bridge the gap between your personal resources and university expenses. At a minimum, all students qualify for a federal student loan.

So, when you are comparing costs between institutions, be sure to look at the big picture and determine what you are really getting for your money. College is expensive. Ohio State is expensive. But don’t let a scholarship offer from another school sway your decision. Chances are they cannot provide the same educational, extracurricular and professional benefits that Ohio State can offer. We simply give students way more bang for their buck — and the diploma you receive from us carries a national reputation.

A college education is an investment — an investment of your dollars and an investment in your future. The institution you select should maximize both your money and your future potential.