Academic Programs & Learning

Ohio State University-Main Campus

What About Academic Quality?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

18:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

94%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

39%

Part-time students continuing

📊

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 18:1 means there are approximately 18 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 68% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches Here?

Total Teaching Staff
5,014
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
18:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
8%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (0%) Non-Tenure (100%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors347
Associate Professors639
Assistant Professors1488
Instructors & Lecturers1
Other Instructional Staff2539

Understanding Faculty Composition

Ohio State University-Main Campus employs 5014 instructional staff members. About 0% hold tenured positions. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2023 census)

Undergraduate (45,728 enrolled)
1,568
exclusively online (3.4%)
Same state 1,345 (85.8%)
Other US states 120 (7.7%)
Outside US 5 (0.3%)
Graduate (14,318 enrolled)
2,272
exclusively online (15.9%)
Same state 1,666 (73.3%)
Other US states 520 (22.9%)
Outside US 26 (1.1%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

86% of Ohio State University-Main Campus's exclusively online undergraduates are located in OH. The school primarily serves local online learners.

What Is the Academic Load?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

55,041
Total FTE
44,894
Undergraduate FTE
10,147
Graduate FTE

FTE Distribution

Undergraduate FTE
44,894 (81.6%)
Graduate FTE
10,147 (18.4%)

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:91.7% FTE ratio indicates a mix of full-time and part-time students

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) measures the total student enrollment adjusted for course load. One FTE represents a student taking a full course load, while two half-time students equal one FTE. This metric helps compare institutional size and resource allocation across different schools.

How Intensively Do Students Study?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

91.7%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelHigh

Most students maintain full-time or near-full-time course loads, balancing academics with limited outside commitments.

Undergraduate FTE
44,894
Graduate FTE
10,147
Total FTE
55,041
Headcount
60,046

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

The enrollment intensity shows how committed students are to their studies. Higher FTE ratios indicate more full-time students and intensive programs, while lower ratios suggest flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals and students with other responsibilities. This information helps you understand whether the institution caters to traditional full-time students or offers more flexibility for adult learners.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact Ohio State University-Main Campus directly at 6142926446 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1 supports personalized learning
  • 5014 instructional staff with 0% holding tenured positions
  • Primarily full-time enrollment creates immersive learning environment
  • Online students from OH and beyond (8% out-of-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at Ohio State University-Main Campus?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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