Ohio State tuition and fees for new 2026-27 students locked in with Tuition Guarantee

Ohio State tuition and fees for new 2026-27 students locked in with Tuition Guarantee

University remains the 2nd-most affordable of Ohio's 6 selective publics

Trustees of The Ohio State University have approved new rates for tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 academic year that support the university's commitment to academic excellence across six campuses and 15 colleges and enable the university to offer hundreds of major and degree programs that prepare students for in-demand careers and opportunities.

The rates include continuing the Ohio State Tuition Guarantee for in-state students, a program that provides cost certainty for tuition, housing and dining for four years, and highlights the university's focus on affordability.

The change in tuition and fees is for incoming students only, as most current students are covered by the tuition guarantee and will not see an increase. The new rate is set at $14,050 for Ohio residents starting in autumn 2026 - an increase of $409, or only 3%, from 2025. Combined with the tuition guarantee, which locks in those costs for four years, the effective annual tuition increase for in-state students is 0.7% - far below the annual inflation rate.

Ohio State is the second-most affordable among Ohio's six selective public universities while ranking first among Ohio universities and 15th among all public universities in America, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The university continues to expand resources and programs supporting access and affordability. Fall semester represents the inaugural academic year for three new financial aid programs that will open doors for more Ohio students to attend Ohio State:

• The Buckeye Bridge program, a partnership with Columbus State Community College, that covers tuition and fees for qualifying Ohio residents transferring to Ohio State from Columbus State.
• The President's Scholars Program, which covers the full cost of attendance for Ohio students who score a perfect 36 on the ACT or a perfect 1600 on the SAT, along with up to $5,000 in enrichment grant funding.
• The Regional Campus Commitment, where eligible new first-year students who enroll at one of the university's campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion or Newark, or at Ohio State ATI in Wooster, can attend Ohio State without having to pay tuition or mandatory fees.

The board ratified a resolution related to Richard Strauss. The university and survivors involved in the pending litigation have reached settlements in principle and released the following joint statement:

Ohio State and 279 of the 280 individual remaining Richard Strauss survivors involved in the pending litigation have reached settlements in principle in a total amount of $100 million. The university's Board of Trustees has now publicly ratified these agreements in principle, and all parties thank the mediators for their assistance. The mediation and its confidentiality are continuing as the parties work to finalize the details of the settlements, and additional information will be shared as appropriate.

Trustees also authorized Ohio State leaders to continue negotiations on a partnership with the City of Columbus and Downtown Columbus Inc. that would create a downtown Columbus location for university classes and programming.

This new academic facility would place Ohio State students at the heart of Columbus' governmental, business, legal, civic and cultural life, with immediate access to experiential learning, interning and networking. Ohio State's world-class scholars, clinicians and researchers will be steps away from city decision makers, state officials and industry leaders, fostering stronger connections, enhancing learning experiences, and directly connecting Ohio State expertise to the people of Ohio.

Trustees also announced the election of Jeff Kaplan as chairman of the board, replacing John Zeiger, whose nine-year term on the board is ending. Zeiger praised Ohio State's growth during his tenure.

"Ohio State is already a great national university, but we're in a moment of momentum which is second to none in my nine years," Zeiger said at Wednesday's full board meeting.

"It's an incredible honor and privilege to help lead the institution in this role," Kaplan said, echoing Zeiger's observations on the university's momentum and his excitement to work with President Ravi V. Bellamkonda.

"I'd like Ohio State to be, and I believe we can be, the finest public university in the nation," Bellamkonda said later in the meeting.

The board also approved the awarding of the Joseph Sullivant Medal to Lars Bildsten, director of the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Frederick W. Gluck Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Bildsten, a 1985 Ohio State graduate, is a theoretical astrophysicist.

The medal is awarded once every five years as a memorial to the services of Joseph Sullivant. He was a member of the first Board of Trustees and contributed significantly in determining the character and future of Ohio State.

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Personnel actions approved
Trustees approved the following appointments and reappointments:

Appointments

• Trevor Brown as interim executive vice president and provost in the Office of the President for a term starting March 23, 2026.
• Paula Desplats as professor (The Clayton C. Wagner Parkinson's Disease Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term running from May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Peggy Hall as associate professor (The Paul L. Wright Chair in Agricultural Law) in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for a term running from March 5, 2026, through Feb. 28, 2031.
• Thomas Jeffrey Hund as professor (The John H. and Mildred C. Lumley Chair in Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Scott Langenecker as professor (The Tom and Debra Feeney Family Endowed Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from June 3, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Jianrong Li as professor (Endowed Chair in Comparative and Translational Immunology, Oncology, and Vaccinology Research) in the College of Veterinary Medicine for a term running from May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Stephanie Moulton as acting dean in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs for a term running from May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, or until a permanent dean is named.
• Efthimi Parasidis as professor (The Kara J. Trott Endowed Professorship in Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term running from Nov. 15, 2025, through November 14, 2030.
• Kristin Stanford as professor (William D. and Jacquelyn L. Wells Chair at the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Christine Thomas as professor (The Phyllis and Richard Leet Endowed Chair in Chemistry) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2031.

Reappointments

• Sara Butler as professor (The King George III Professorship in British History) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2026, through Aug. 14, 2031.
• Lei Cao as professor (The William C. and Joan E. Davis Cancer Research Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Ricardo Carrau as professor (The Lynne Shepard Jones Endowed Professorship in Head and Neck Oncology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• David Cohn as professor (The Stuart M. Sloan - Larry J. Copeland MD Chair in Gynecologic Oncology Initiated by a Grateful Patient) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Curtis Daniels as professor-clinical (Dottie Dohan Shepard Professorship in Cardiovascular Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Marcos J.G. de Lima as professor (The William Greenville Pace III Endowed Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Richard Gumina as professor (The James W. Overstreet Chair in Cardiology Fund) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Yuchi Han as professor (Chair of Excellence in Cardiovascular Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Jeffrey Horowitz as professor (Endowed Professorship in Pulmonary Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• John Hummel as professor-clinical (Corrine Frick Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Maria Ignatieva as professor (The Martha W. Farmer Endowed Professorship in Theatre) at Ohio State Lima for a term running from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027.
• Daniel Jonas as professor (Endowed Professorship in Health Services Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Christopher Kaeding as professor-clinical (Judson D. Wilson Professorship in Orthopedic Surgery) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Anthony King as associate professor (The Anne K. "Nancy" Jeffrey Endowed Professorship for Mental Health Equity and Resilience) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Cathann Kress as vice president for agricultural administration and dean in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• E. Douglas Lewandowski as professor (The Jack M. George Chair) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Bradley Needleman as professor-clinical (Edwin H. and E. Christopher Ellison Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• David O'Malley as professor-clinical (The John G. Boutselis, M.D. Chair in Gynecology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Georgios Papachristou as professor (Dr. Floyd M. Beman Chair in Gastroenterology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Jeffrey Parvin as professor (The Louis Levy Professorship for Cancer) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Benjamin Kuttikatt Poulose as professor (The Robert M. Zollinger Chair of Surgery Funded By The LeCrone-Baxter Memorial Fund) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Rebecca Reczek as professor (The Berry Chair of New Technologies in Marketing) in the Fisher College of Business for a term running from Aug. 15, 2026, through Aug. 14, 2031.
• Brad Rovin as professor (The Dr. Lee A. Hebert Endowed Professorship in Nephrology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
• Abhay Satoskar as professor (Research Endowed Chair in Pathology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Sakima Smith as associate professor (Bob Frick Research Chair in Heart Failure and Arrhythmia) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Alexander Sparreboom as professor (The Lucius A. Wing Chair of Cancer Research and Therapy) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Theodore Wagener as professor (Leonard J. Immke, Jr. and Charlotte L. Immke Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Henry Wang as professor (The Ohio State University Emergency Medicine Endowed Research Chair) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
• Bruce Weinberg as professor (Eric Byron Fix-Monda Endowed Chair) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2026, through Aug. 14, 2031.
• Hua Zhu as professor (Karl P. Klassen Chair of Thoracic Surgery) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.

Reestablishment of the Department of Aviation approved
Trustees approved the reestablishment of the Department of Aviation in the College of Engineering because of a resurgence in enrollment and research expenditures.

Establishment of academic programs approved
Trustees approved the establishment of the following academic programs:

• The Institute on Aging in the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge
• A master of science in medical physics degree program in the College of Medicine
• A bachelor of science in computer science and business degree program in the College of Engineering and the Fisher College of Business
• The following academic programs:
  • The integrated arts and sciences major
  • The assistive technology and accessibility major in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • The supply chain management specialization in the Fisher College of Business

Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter into or increase professional services and construction contracts for the following projects:

East Hospital catheter lab
Professional services totaling $600,000, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Fisher College of Business facility improvements
Professional services totaling $9 million, to be paid for with university funds.

Blankenship Hall upgrades
Professional services and construction totaling $14.9 million, to be paid for with university funds.

Midwest campus chilled water connections
Professional services and construction totaling $10.6 million, to be paid for with university and partner funds.

Ohio Stadium/athletics upgrades
Professional services and construction totaling $22.8 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds and university debt.

Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute fire and HVAC system renewal
Construction services totaling $5.5 million, to be paid for with university funds.

Doan Hall PET/CT replacement
Construction services totaling $6.4 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Property agreements approved
The board approved the following property leases, agreements and acquisitions:

• The acquisition of property at 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Road NW in Fairfield County, Ohio, at a purchase price of $8.75 million.
• The acquisition of property at 104-110 W. 10th Ave. and 1593-1599 Hunter Ave. in Franklin County, Ohio, at a purchase price of $2.325 million.
• The acquisition of property adjacent to the Outpatient Care Dublin Facility in Franklin County, Ohio, at a purchase price of $2.934 million. The university is also entering into an economic development agreement related to the property with the City of Dublin.
• The sale of property at 2072 Seacrest Road in Wayne County, Ohio, at a sale price of $115,000.
• The extension of a lease of the apartment building at 262-264 W. Lane Ave. in Franklin County, Ohio, and the bulk leasing of apartments at 1494 N. High St. in the same county.

Revising of program curricula approved
Trustees approved revisions to the Master of Social Work curriculum, the Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures undergraduate major, and the French and Italian undergraduate major.

Courses and course revisions approved
The board approved new courses and modifications to existing courses in various parts of the university.

Awarding of degrees and certificates approved
The board approved the conferral of degrees and certificates on Aug. 9, 2026, to those people who have completed the requirements for their respective degrees and certificates and are recommended by the colleges and schools.

Operating budget for fiscal year 2027 approved
Trustees approved the university's operating budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Interim capital investment plan for fiscal year 2027 approved
Trustees authorized and accepted the interim capital investment plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Resolutions in Memoriam

• Edwin Haering, who died on Jan. 17, 2026, at age 93. He was professor emeritus in the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

• Richard J. Hopkins, who died on Dec. 24, 2025, at age 86. He was professor emeritus in the Department of History.

• Sally Ann Miller, who died on April 1, 2026, at age 71. She was distinguished professor emerita in the Department of Plant Pathology.

Digital textbook fees approved
Trustees approved digital textbook pass-through fees at all campuses for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Authorization for designated officials to buy, sell, assign and transfer securities approved
Trustees approved authorization for designated officials to buy, sell, assign and transfer securities, to deposit or withdraw funds from bank and investment accounts held in the name of Ohio State, to designate depositories, and to execute treasury and insurance related agreements.

Appointments and reappointments to the Self-Insurance Board approved
Trustees approved the appointment and reappointment of the following members to the Self-Insurance Board for terms effective July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028:

Reappointment
Michael Leach
Demetries Neely

Appointment
Mark Russell

University Foundation Report approved
The board approved, as of April 30, 2026, the establishment of: four endowed chairs as part of the Provost's Endowed Chair Matching Program: the James and Patricia Dietz Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering, the Maryann Z. and Larry Kennedy Endowed Chair in Drug Discovery, the Bernard and LaJune Cohen Endowed Chair in Neurodegenerative Disease Research, and The Tom and Debra Feeney Family Endowed Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; two endowed chairs: the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer Chair and the Thomas F. Mauger and L. Carol Laxson Chair for Ophthalmology Research; two endowed professorships: the Natalie M. Knutsen Professorship and The Williamson Family Professorship; eight scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; 28 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of 20 named endowed funds.

Naming of spaces
Trustees approved the following namings:

• The Timashev Technology Tower in the Innovation District
• The Dr. Charles W. Pavey II Newborn Nursery in the University Hospital
• The David M. Galton Dairy Display Hall at the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory

Internal spaces in Campbell Hall as follows:

• Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Plaza
• Kister Family Commons
• Kat DePizzo Innovation Lab
• The Geraldine Schottenstein Lobby
• The Geraldine Schottenstein Gallery

Internal spaces in Engineering Research and Education Laboratories as follows:

• Mark G. Tabler Makerspace (rm. 1320)
• Vertiv Makerspace (rm. 1260)
• Vertiv Design Foundations Lab (rm. 2230)
• Vertiv Core Foundations Lab (rm. 2240)
• Baysore Family Collaboration Space (rm. 4235)
• Baysore Family Seminar Room (rm. 4230)
• Baysore Family Lab (rm. 4240)
• Baysore Family Conference Room (rm. 4243)
• Baysore Family Collaboration Space (rm. 4227)
• Baysore Family Huddle Room (rm. 4229)
• Paul Bigley '61 Inspire and Impact Huddle Room (rm. 3249)

Internal spaces in the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex as follows:

• Mahle Family Classroom (rm. 115)
• Clifford and Dale Baughman Outreach & Engagement Room (rm. 101)
• Patricia Kunz Brundige Classroom (rm. 119)
• Thomas E. Nygren Lab (rm. 121)
• Ohio Poultry Association Multipurpose Space (rm. D119)
• Steven C. Scherff Memorial Staff Office (rm. 123)

Ohio State Newark also changed the name of a portion of the existing University Drive to Partnership Way.

2026-2028 Completion Plan approved
The board approved updated completion goals for 2026-2028 that will focus on further improving retention and graduation rates for all undergraduate students through greater engagement of academic colleges in completion planning, enhanced coordination of student support and career readiness efforts, and continued alignment of academic pathways with Ohio's workforce development priorities.

Amendments to the Rules of the University Faculty approved
Trustees approved amendments to the Rules of the University Faculty as recommended by the University Senate.

Fiscal year 2027 internal audit plan approved
Trustees approved the fiscal year 2027 internal audit plan. The department provides independent and advisory assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the operations of Ohio State.

Expression of appreciation approved
Trustees approved an expression of appreciation for Kendall C. Buchan, a graduate student trustee whose term began in 2024.

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