The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University (OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1870, it is one of the largest universities in the United States and is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the nation. The university has a strong emphasis on research and offers over 400 degree programs through its 16 colleges.

History and campuses

• Founding: Established in 1870 as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College under the Morrill Act, it was renamed The Ohio State University in 1878 to reflect an expanded academic scope.
• Columbus campus: The 1,764-acre main campus is located approximately 2.5 miles north of downtown Columbus.
• Regional campuses: OSU also operates regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and Wooster.

Academics and research

• Colleges: The university is divided into several colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the Fisher College of Business, and the College of Engineering.
• Research status: OSU is classified as an "R1: Doctoral University – Very high research activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
• Notable resources: Campus resources include the Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, the Hilandar Research Library, and the Cartoon Library & Museum, which houses the world's largest repository of original cartoons.

Enrollment and admissions

• Enrollment (Autumn 2025): The university reported a total enrollment of 67,255 students across all campuses.
• Undergraduate admissions: For the Class of 2025, OSU's undergraduate acceptance rate was 57.2%.
• Admissions ranking: U.S. News & World Report classifies Ohio State as a "more selective" university.

Athletics

• Team name: The athletic teams are known as the Ohio State Buckeyes and compete in the NCAA Division I.
• Conference: The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference for most sports.
• Famous alumni in sports: Notable Buckeye alumni include Archie Griffin, Jack Nicklaus, Jesse Owens, and Eddie George.

Notable alumni

OSU has produced numerous notable alumni in diverse fields, including:

• Arts and entertainment: Cartoonist Roy Lichtenstein, actress Patricia Heaton, and author R. L. Stine.
• Business: George Steinbrenner (former owner of the New York Yankees) and Les Wexner (founder of L Brands).
• Other fields: The university's alumni also include Nobel laureates, Rhodes Scholars, and political figures.

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