(This story has been updated to include new information.)
The Big Ten is known for more than athletics. Several conference schools are also among the nation’s top academic institutions. So, where does Ohio State stack up?
A new ranking compares Big Ten schools by SAT scores, a standardized college-admissions test that measures students’ reading, writing, and math skills. USA TODAY used data from Niche, which tracks college academics, admissions and campus life.
Ohio State landed in the middle of the conference’s academic pack for SAT scores. The Buckeyes trailed schools such as Northwestern, USC and Michigan but came out ahead of other schools like Penn State and Purdue.
So how did the Buckeyes fare in this contest? Here’s a breakdown of the rankings.
Ohio State ranks No. 9 among Big Ten schools for SAT scores
Ohio State ranked No. 9 among the 16 schools included in the SAT comparison, with a score range of 1310-1480. The Buckeyes trailed schools such as Northwestern, USC and Michigan but still finished in the conference’s upper half.
Ohio State was also ranked No. 41 nationally by U.S. News and No. 7 among Big Ten schools, according to USA TODAY. The university boasts 46,815 undergraduate students with in-state tuition and fees that cost about $13,641.
The University of Washington and UCLA were not included in the list since SAT score ranges were unavailable.
Full ranking: Big Ten schools by SAT scores
Here are the schools ranked from highest to lowest SAT range.
According to USA TODAY, UCLA and Washington were not included because SAT score ranges were unavailable.
Ohio State is the only Big Ten school that requires applicants to submit a SAT or ACT score, according to the school.
How many college applicants take the SAT?
The SAT isn’t the only college aptitude test, and not every college applicant takes the test. Some may choose to take the ACT.
In 2024, the percentage of people taking the SAT varied wildly by state. Only 21% of Ohio students took the SAT that year, according to the Princeton Review. Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota had less than 5% of students take the test that year, compared to states such as Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, where at least 96% of student took the ACT.
A College Raptor report from 2026 shows similar trends for SAT or ACT preference by state.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State barely top 10 in Big Ten based on this academic measure
Reporting by Alex Perry, USA TODAY NETWORK / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alex Perry, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
