Incoming students begin orientation at Ohio State University

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Incoming students begin orientation at Ohio State University

Families happy about affordability efforts

All summer long, incoming Buckeyes and their families spend two days in Columbus for student orientation at The Ohio State University. Orientation provides an opportunity for students to meet some of their peers, explore campus, speak with their academic advisors and more. For their loved ones, it's a chance to see what their children or siblings will experience over the next four years.

To some, Ohio State is already familiar. Gabriella Zaragoza, an incoming first-year student, knows the campus from visiting her sister, a rising senior. The Midway, Ohio, native came to orientation with her mom, Heather.

"It's been their dream to come here since they were in elementary school," Heather said. "To see it come true, it's so exciting for me."

Gabriella and her sister are two of eight children. For Heather, it's a relief to know that her daughter's dream school is affordable.

"Out of all the in-state tuitions she was offered," Heather said about Gabriella, "this ended up being the cheapest. I was shocked but relieved as well."

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

For in-state students like Gabriella, the Ohio State Tuition Guarantee locks in costs for four years, and the effective annual tuition increase is 0.7% - far below the annual inflation rate.

Rami Traboulssi is also following a sibling. He and his father Mourhaf drove from Cleveland for orientation. He is planning to study biology to set himself up for medical school.

"Ohio State is good for my major," he said. "It's also close to home. Far enough that I'm technically far, but not so far that I can't go back home. A few of my friends go here and my sister does, too."

Mourhaf is happy his son is getting a good deal at Ohio State.

"There is a significant savings for us at Ohio State [because of in-state tuition]," he said. "The more important thing is the value of your education, what you pay and what you get. We feel strongly that Ohio State is a good balance there."

Ohio State students received nearly $542 million in financial aid in fiscal year 2026, up more than $16 million from fiscal year 2025. Seventy-nine percent of in-state students receive financial aid. The aid makes an impact: The share of students graduating without student loans continues to increase, with 58% of bachelor's degree recipients reporting zero student loan debt - far better than the national average.

Augustin Martinez also chose Ohio State for its affordability balance. His mom, Laura Burelli, said that her son, who wants to study electrical and computer engineering, was accepted at Purdue University and the University of California, Berkeley, as well as Ohio State.

"Berkeley didn't give him a scholarship. At Purdue, they gave him a scholarship, but the culture was the issue," she said. "The social part, a big school, having different opportunities and interacting with people doing different things, all of those things played a big part in the decision."

Augustin feels good about his choice, he said.

"I'm so excited," he said. "I can't wait."

Nicole Craven, director of First Year Experience, is aware that costs, even for orientation, are front of mind for families.

"Several years ago, the university moved several of the associated charges to the student's fall tuition statement," she said. "That means financial aid can cover them. Overnight accommodation, if they're staying in a residence hall on campus, any of the meals they use from the meal package, all of that gets charged to the fall tuition statement. It's a big improvement."

Still, there are families who can't afford the trip to Columbus. Those students don't miss out on the orientation help and experiences, though, Craven said.

"We have a make-up orientation right before classes start, just as students are moving in," she said. "And students can work with their advisor over email or Zoom to get registered for classes over the summer."

Craven hopes families walk away from orientation feeling like Ohio State supports students in a number of ways personally, academically and professionally, all while being a sound financial choice.

"We reassure them throughout the orientation that Ohio State is a place where students can succeed - without breaking the bank," she said.

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