University of Washington is a public research university located in Seattle, Washington in the Seattle metropolitan area. It is a large public university with about 51,000 students, of which more than 30,000 are undergraduate students. Admissions are moderately competitive because University of Washington has an acceptance rate of around 43%. Majors offered at the institution include Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. The graduation rate for six years is 84%, and the median starting salary of UW graduates is about INR 74,70,000 (ten years after graduation, equivalent to $90,000 median earnings).
Ohio State University is a highly ranked public university in Columbus, Ohio in the Columbus metropolitan area. Ohio State is one of the largest universities in the United States with an enrollment of about 60,046 students, of which more than 46,000 are undergraduates. Admissions are moderately competitive since Ohio State has an acceptance rate of about 51%. Standard majors include Business, Engineering, Health Professions, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. The graduation rate after six years is 88%, and the median starting salary for Ohio State graduates is about INR 44,50,000 (converted from $53,600 median earnings ten years after graduation).
| University of Washington | Ohio State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 7.2 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 76 QS World University 2025 # 7 US News 2024 # 25 Times Higher Education 2024 | # 108 Times Higher Education 2026 # 190 QS World University 2026 # 55 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 25 for Engineering by US News 2024 # 12 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024 # 13 for Medicine by US News 2024 | # 27 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 84 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 28 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -77 PG Programs -56 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -146 PG Programs -75 Doctorate Programs -100 |
| Acceptance Rate | 0.0 % | 61.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-120 IELTS-7 TOEFL-92 | Duolingo-120 IELTS-7 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 35166 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 31473 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 36430 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 40507 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15178 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Employability Ranking- #60 (QS); 93% engineering graduates placed within first placement cycle; Average salary- 78,172 USD; Top recruiters: The Boeing Company, University of Washington, Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp, Expedia Inc.; Highest paying degrees: Doctorate (118,000 USD), Ph.D. (112,000 USD), MBA(111,000 USD), Masters in Science (93,000 USD), BBA (85,000 USD). | Average Salaries are listed below:
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| application requirements | Coallition Essay | Academic transcripts; Academic recommendation; Standardized test scores; 2-3 LORs; Resume; SOPs/ Essays; Proof of English language proficiency; Additional Requirements (video interview, work experience, research papers, etc.). |
| Campuses and B-Schools | NA | Fisher College of Business |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 8 reviews | 8.5/10 Read 6 reviews |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Washington | Ohio State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1861 | 1870 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 9.5:1 | 18:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 43% Male, 0% Female | 49% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | Bordered by two lakes of Seattle, Cascade Range view on East, Olympic Mountain view on West, and Red square is the heart of campus. The university has been relocated twice in the past (1876 and 19th century). The main campus lies shores of Portage and Union Bays. | main campus in Columbus & regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, & Wooster; 1,764-acre main campus, about 2.5 miles north of the city's downtown |
| Library | Largest collection in Pacific Northwest | 18th largest university research library in North America; 21 libraries on Columbus campus, 8 branches at off-campus research facilities & regional campuses, 1 book storage depository near campus; 5.8 million volumes in total. |
| Campus Life | Over 60 fraternities and sororities | 90-acre recreational space; 6 Rec Sports facilities; 8 health & student wellness centers; 1000+ student organizations; 3 Arts and Culture centers; 30+ food outlets across different campuses; Ohio Union (One of area's most comprehensive event centers); The Lantern (official daily student published newspaper, one of the largest campus newspaper in USA). |
| Famous Alumni | Four Nobel laureates, eight Pulitzer prize winners. | 570,000 living alumni; Larry Sanger (one of the founders of Wikipedia); Steve May (chief technology officer at Pixar); James S. Albus (Roboticist); Jesse Owens (American athlete); R. L. Stine (American novelist); Roy Lichtenstein (American artist); Patricia Heaton (American actress); Woody Hayes (American football player); James Thurber (American cartoonist); Ross Butler (American actor). |
| City Life | From intramural clubs to adventure activities, nature abound city has a lot to offer. Various national parks, Heritage monuments | Columbus- the capital & largest city in Ohio; distinctive neighborhoods, dynamic nightlife & music, creative arts scene, original culinary experiences, wide array of festivals; famous attractions: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Museum of Art, Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Huntington Park, Topiary Park; Unemployment Rate: 3.5% (Dec 2019) |
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University of Washington vs Ohio State University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both Ohio State University (OSU) and the University of Washington (UW) are large public research universities in the United States, with UW normally ranking higher on worldwide systems. UW is around 81th and OSU around 190th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Times Higher Education ranks UW #25 and OSU #116, which indicates UW's better global reputation for research.
In subject areas, UW leads in Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Environmental Science, with high-level placements in Public Health and Nursing. OSU is especially strong in Business, Agriculture, Engineering, and Social Sciences, with nationally placed programs in Logistics, Welding Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine. UW's location near Seattle's tech environment adds to its STEM and innovation portfolio, while OSU provides wide academic breadth and applied research capabilities.
General Information
The University of Washington, founded in 1861, is located in Seattle, Washington, a major tech and cultural hub. It has a student population of approximately 55,620, including 30,000 undergraduates. The Ohio State University, established in 1870, is based in Columbus, Ohio, with a larger student body of around 60,046, including 46,000 undergraduates.
UW has an urban, research-intensive campus with close industry and innovation connections. OSU has a spread-out campus with an active sports life and extensive community outreach throughout Ohio and the Midwest.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Admissions at the two universities are fairly competitive. UW has an acceptance rate of approximately 43%, while that of OSU is a mere 51%. Students admitted to UW usually score 1200–1453 SAT and 27–33 ACT, whereas students admitted at OSU have an average of 1330–1480 SAT and 29–32 ACT.
UW is test-blind for admissions, emphasizing holistic review and academic strength, particularly in the STEM disciplines. OSU is test-optional and places a high value on leadership, service, and academic excellence among a broad range of applicants.
Research Impact & Facilities
UW's research infrastructure comprises the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, UW Medicine, and the Clean Energy Institute, with more than $1.5 billion in annual research investment. It is among the top U.S. universities in federal research grants and innovation production.
OSU has ample research support in its Wexner Medical Center, College of Engineering, and Fisher College of Business, with prominent programs in agriculture, materials science, and public health. It has a strong research base and collaborations with industry, government, and community organizations.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both schools are public institutions and provide financial assistance, although UW is more so. UW's in-state tuition is approximately $11,524, while out-of-state tuition is $40,878, with the average net price being $11,023. OSU's in-state tuition is $11,826, and out-of-state tuition is $37,332, with a slightly larger average net price of $19,575.
UW provides higher average grants ($14,390) to the OSU ($11,791), although OSU aids more students (64% vs. 43%) with financial aid. UW's urban setting raises living expenses, while OSU's affordability favors in-state and local students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UW alumni have a median salary of $65,800 ten years following graduation, with excellent placement in tech, healthcare, engineering, and public policy. Top recruiters include Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, fueled by Seattle's thriving job market.
OSU alumni have a median income of $50,600, with business, healthcare, education, and government being among the strong areas. OSU has one of the largest alumni bases in the U.S., with over 475,000 members, with strong connections to employers such as Nationwide, JPMorgan Chase, and Honda.


















