- Snapshot Card
- Start Here
- Ohio State University Online Master's Programs
- Quick Decision Guide
- What Ohio State University Is Known For
- Online Master's Programs at Ohio State University by Subject
- How Ohio State University Compares
- Featured Programs and Top Picks
- Admissions Snapshot
- Tuition and Cost Overview
- Related Rankings
- Frequently Asked Questions
Ohio State University Snapshot Card
11+
Online master’s programs
$553
Per credit hour
—
Public university ranking
R1
Public research university
Key policies
Institution type:
Public
Regional accreditation:
HLC
Admissions model:
Deadline-based
GRE/GMAT required:
Not required
Out-of-state premium:
No — same rate for all students
Notable Programmatic Accreditations
- AACSB
- ABET
- ACEND
- CAHME
- CCNE
- CSWE
- Edited By Jeevan D'Souza
Start Here
- Nurses seeking CCNE-accredited NP specializations from a nationally ranked College of Nursing
- Educators and school administrators in Ohio or the Midwest who value the OSU brand and Big Ten alumni network
- Social work professionals pursuing a CSWE-accredited MSW with clinical or administrative focus
- Working professionals in health administration or rehabilitation sciences who want a research-university credential without relocating
- Students who need a fully asynchronous, zero-campus-visit program (many OSU online programs require clinicals, field placements, or residency components)
- Cost-sensitive students paying out-of-state tuition who could access comparable programs at lower-cost institutions
- Students who want broad program selection — OSU’s online catalog is narrower than many peer flagships
- Applicants who need rolling admissions or multiple start dates per year (most OSU programs are deadline-based with autumn-only entry)
Ohio State University Online Master’s Programs
Ohio State University is one of the largest public research universities in the United States, with over 60,000 students and a research expenditure profile that consistently ranks among the top ten nationally. But scale and prestige don’t automatically translate into a deep online master’s catalog — and that’s the first thing prospective online students need to understand about OSU.
Unlike institutions that have built massive online portfolios spanning dozens of master’s degrees, Ohio State takes a deliberately selective approach to online graduate education. The university puts programs online when it believes it can maintain the same instructional quality and faculty involvement as its on-campus counterparts. The result is a smaller catalog — concentrated in education, nursing, social work, health sciences, engineering, and a handful of professional programs — but one where every degree carries the full Ohio State University credential with no separate branding or diluted designation.
This selectivity creates a clear trade-off. Students who find a match within OSU’s online offerings get a flagship-caliber degree backed by nationally ranked colleges. Students who need broader program selection or maximum flexibility in scheduling and start dates may find better options at peer institutions with more expansive online catalogs. Understanding where OSU invests — and where it deliberately doesn’t — is the key to evaluating whether this university belongs on your shortlist.
Quick Decision Guide
Quick Fit Summary: Ohio State University is strongest for working professionals who want a flagship-credential online master’s in a focused set of fields — particularly nursing, education, social work, and health sciences — and who can accommodate deadline-based admissions and occasional in-person requirements.
Cost Signal: In-state graduate tuition starts around $553 per credit hour for many programs. Professional programs (Fisher MBA, nursing) carry higher or program-specific tuition. Total program costs range from approximately $16,500 to $33,000+ depending on the degree.
Learning Model Signal: Mixed — some programs are fully online and asynchronous, while others are hybrid with required in-person components (clinical practicums, field placements, residency weekends). Check individual program requirements carefully.
Admissions Signal: Deadline-based admissions for most programs. Selectivity varies — the Fisher MBA and nursing NP tracks are highly competitive. GRE/GMAT requirements have been relaxed or waived for many programs.
Flexibility Signal: Part-time enrollment is available in most programs. However, most programs admit only in autumn, with limited spring or summer entry. Pacing is structured rather than self-directed.
Main Tradeoff: You get a genuine flagship research-university credential with strong employer recognition, but you trade away the broad program selection, rolling admissions, and fully online flexibility that less selective institutions offer.
What Ohio State University Is Known For
Ohio State’s relevance to online master’s students starts with specific institutional strengths that translate directly to program quality — not with generic rankings or football traditions.
The College of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top 15 graduate nursing programs nationally and offers multiple nurse practitioner specializations online with CCNE accreditation. For NP-track students, this is one of the strongest credentialing options available through distance learning from a public university, though clinical placement hours must be completed locally.
The College of Education and Human Ecology houses multiple online MEd specializations and an MA in Educational Administration. Ohio State’s education research output is substantial, and the college’s programs carry weight with school districts and state licensing boards across the Midwest and nationally.
The College of Social Work offers a CSWE-accredited online MSW that serves both traditional and advanced-standing students. The program’s clinical and social administration concentrations connect to one of the larger social work research programs in the Big Ten.
The Fisher College of Business is AACSB-accredited and offers a Working Professional MBA in hybrid format. Fisher’s brand carries significant weight in the Midwest corporate market, particularly in Columbus’s growing tech and finance sectors. However, this is a hybrid program, not fully online.
In engineering, OSU’s online options are more limited but notable — the MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ABET-accredited) and the Master of Global Engineering Leadership represent targeted offerings from a top-30 engineering college.
The Big Ten alumni network — one of the largest in the country — provides a tangible professional asset that smaller or newer online-focused institutions simply cannot match. Employer recognition of the Ohio State name is strong nationally and dominant in the Midwest.
Online Master’s Programs at Ohio State University by Subject
The table below captures Ohio State’s current online master’s program portfolio with per-program data on degree type, credit requirements, tuition estimates, accreditation, and in-person requirements. Tuition figures shown at the in-state rate where applicable — out-of-state rates may differ, though several OSU online programs extend in-state pricing to all online students. After the table, each subject area is evaluated in detail.
| Program | Degree | Subject | Credits | Duration | Est. Cost | GRE | Accreditation | In-Person | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEd — multiple specializations | MEd | Education | 30 | 18–24 mo | ~$16,590 | No | — | No | Specializations include Educational Studies, Learning Technologies, Special Education, TESOL |
| MA in Education — Educational Administration | MA | Education | 45 | 24–36 mo | ~$24,885 | No | — | Yes | Requires field experience and practicum |
| MSN — multiple NP specializations | MSN | Nursing | Varies | 24–36 mo | Varies | No | CCNE | Yes | Clinical practicum required; 6 NP tracks |
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | MSW | Social Work | 60 | 24–36 mo | ~$33,180 | No | CSWE | Yes | Field placement required; advanced standing available |
| Master of Health Administration (MHA) | MHA | Healthcare | 44 | 24–36 mo | ~$24,332 | No | CAHME | Yes | Residency/capstone with applied component |
| MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences | MS | Healthcare | 30 | 18–24 mo | ~$16,590 | No | — | No | Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Sciences tracks |
| MS in Dietetics | MS | Healthcare | Varies | 18–24 mo | Varies | No | ACEND | Yes | Supervised practice for RDN eligibility |
| Working Professional MBA | MBA | Business | 49 | 22–28 mo | Varies | Waiver possible | AACSB | Yes | Hybrid format with in-person residencies; Fisher College |
| MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering | MS | Engineering | 30 | 18–36 mo | ~$16,590 | Varies | ABET | No | Thesis and non-thesis options |
| Master of Applied Statistics | MS | IT & Data | 30 | 18–24 mo | ~$16,590 | Varies | — | No | Applied focus for data-driven professionals |
| Master of Global Engineering Leadership | MS | Engineering | 30 | 18–24 mo | ~$16,590 | No | — | No | Interdisciplinary engineering + leadership |
Ohio State’s education programs online are anchored by the College of Education and Human Ecology, which consistently ranks among the top 25 education colleges nationally. The online MEd offers four specialization tracks — Educational Studies, Learning Technologies, Special Education, and TESOL — at 30 credits each, making them among the more efficient pathways to a master’s credential from a flagship university.
The MA in Educational Administration is a different proposition: 45 credits with required field experience, aimed at aspiring principals and district-level administrators. This program carries in-person requirements that make it best suited for students in Ohio or nearby states who can complete practicum placements locally.
Notably, OSU does not require the GRE for its education programs, removing one barrier for working teachers who may have been out of school for years. Start dates include autumn, spring, and summer for the MEd — more flexibility than most OSU programs offer — though the Educational Administration MA admits only in autumn.
The College of Nursing at Ohio State is one of the university’s strongest online graduate investments. The MSN offers six nurse practitioner specializations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family NP, Nurse-Midwifery, Pediatric NP, and Psychiatric-Mental Health NP. All tracks are CCNE-accredited.
This is not a fully online program. Every NP specialization requires hundreds of clinical practicum hours completed at approved sites, typically near the student’s home. OSU coordinates clinical placement but students bear responsibility for securing sites, which can be a logistical challenge in competitive markets.
Credit hours and total cost vary significantly across NP specializations, making it difficult to provide a single tuition estimate. What is consistent is the program’s academic rigor and the strength of the credential — OSU nursing graduates compete well for NP positions nationally, and the program’s research integration distinguishes it from more clinically-only focused competitors. Admissions are deadline-based with autumn entry only, and the program is competitive.
Ohio State’s online MSW is CSWE-accredited, which is the accreditation that matters for licensure in every state. The program offers two concentrations — Clinical Social Work and Social Administration — and requires 60 credit hours for traditional students. BSW holders can apply for advanced standing, which reduces the program to approximately 30 credits and significantly cuts both time and cost.
Field placement is mandatory and constitutes a substantial portion of the degree. Students must complete supervised hours at approved agencies, which effectively limits the program’s accessibility to students who can arrange local placements. OSU’s social work faculty contribute to one of the larger social work research programs in the Big Ten, and the college’s policy-oriented research feeds directly into the Social Administration concentration.
At an estimated $33,180 for the full 60-credit program (in-state rate), cost is meaningful. Students comparing this against other CSWE-accredited online MSW programs should weigh OSU’s research depth and credential strength against potentially lower-cost options with similar accreditation.
OSU’s healthcare programs online span three distinct degrees. The CAHME-accredited Master of Health Administration (MHA) is the flagship here — at 44 credits, it’s designed for professionals moving into healthcare leadership and requires an applied residency or capstone component. CAHME accreditation matters in this field; it signals program quality to hospital systems and health networks that screen for it during hiring.
The MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers a more flexible, fully online option at 30 credits with tracks in Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Sciences. This is the most accessible healthcare degree in OSU’s online portfolio — no in-person requirements, no clinical placements.
The MS in Dietetics is a specialized program that meets ACEND accreditation requirements for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) eligibility. Supervised practice hours are mandatory, making this another program with substantial in-person obligations despite its online coursework delivery.
The Fisher College of Business Working Professional MBA is Ohio State’s premier online-accessible business degree, but calling it an “online MBA” requires qualification. The program operates in a hybrid format with required in-person residency weekends in Columbus. This isn’t a program you can complete from your couch in another state without periodic travel.
At 49 credits, it’s a substantial time and financial commitment. Fisher is AACSB-accredited and its MBA carries strong employer recognition, particularly in the Midwest corporate market. Concentration options span finance, marketing, operations, healthcare management, consulting, and additional elective tracks. GMAT or GRE scores may be waived based on professional experience, which is a meaningful concession for mid-career applicants.
The key decision point: Fisher’s hybrid MBA competes against fully online MBA programs from other AACSB schools that don’t require campus visits. If you can commit to periodic Columbus residencies, the in-person cohort experience and Fisher’s regional employer relationships add value. If geography is a constraint, fully online MBAs from institutions like Indiana University Online or Arizona State University may be more practical.
OSU offers two online engineering master’s degrees and one applied data program. The MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering is ABET-accredited and offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks at 30 credits — a lean, efficient program from a top-30 engineering college. The Master of Global Engineering Leadership is an interdisciplinary degree blending engineering with management, designed for working engineers who want to move into leadership roles without stepping away from their careers.
The Master of Applied Statistics rounds out the technical portfolio. This is an applied (not theoretical) program designed for professionals in data-driven fields who need formal statistical training. At 30 credits and fully online, it’s one of OSU’s most accessible programs.
Compared to the engineering online catalogs at Purdue University or the broader STEM-online offerings at Penn State World Campus, OSU’s engineering and data selection is narrow. Students looking for online master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, computer science, or civil engineering will need to look elsewhere.
Beyond these core subject areas, OSU’s online master’s portfolio does not currently extend into fields like criminal justice, public administration, communication, psychology, or cybersecurity — areas where many peer flagships have significant online presence. This isn’t an oversight; it reflects Ohio State’s deliberate strategy of deploying online programs only where it believes it can maintain instructional parity with on-campus delivery.
Students searching for online master’s programs in these absent fields should explore other institutions. For broad-catalog online graduate schools within the Big Ten alone, Michigan State University and Indiana University Online both offer substantially more variety.
Looking across OSU’s full online master’s portfolio, the pattern is unmistakable: Ohio State invests in online delivery where it has nationally ranked colleges and where professional accreditation structures (CCNE, CSWE, CAHME, AACSB, ABET, ACEND) validate quality. Education, nursing, social work, and health sciences dominate — fields where OSU’s on-campus programs are already among the strongest in the Big Ten.
What’s missing tells you as much as what’s present. There’s no online master’s in computer science, no public policy program, no communication or media studies degree, and no criminal justice offering. For a university of OSU’s size, this is a conspicuously narrow catalog. The strategic interpretation is that Ohio State prioritizes credential integrity over catalog breadth — every online program here is designed to be functionally equivalent to its on-campus counterpart, not a revenue-generation exercise.
For the student who fits within these subject areas, this approach is a strength: you’re getting the real Ohio State experience, credentialed by the same accrediting bodies, taught by the same faculty. For the student who doesn’t, it means OSU simply isn’t the right match, and the page’s ‘Not a Best Fit’ section addresses this directly.
How Ohio State University Compares
Ohio State is far from the only Big Ten flagship with online master’s programs. Understanding how OSU stacks against its closest peer institutions helps frame whether its selective approach to online education works for you — or whether a university with broader online infrastructure is the better call.
The comparison below focuses on four peer institutions that prospective OSU online students most commonly evaluate. All are large public research universities with strong brand recognition and meaningful online graduate portfolios.
| Dimension | Ohio State University | Penn State World Campus | Michigan State University | Indiana University Online | Purdue University |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Master’s Breadth | Narrow/selective (~11 programs) | Broad (100+ online programs) | Moderate (30+ programs) | Broad (50+ programs) | Moderate (split between Purdue Global and West Lafayette) |
| Tuition Range (per credit) | ~$553+ (in-state base); professional programs higher | ~$900–$1,000+ | ~$600–$900 | ~$400–$800 | Varies widely by brand/program |
| Flagship Credential | Yes — single brand, no separate online designation | Yes — World Campus carries Penn State credential | Yes — single brand | Yes — IU brand across campuses | Split — Purdue Global vs. Purdue West Lafayette |
| Admissions Selectivity | Moderate to high; competitive for nursing/MBA | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Varies by program and brand |
| Start Flexibility | Limited — mostly autumn-only, deadline-based | High — multiple starts, some rolling | Moderate | High — multiple starts | Varies |
| In-Person Requirements | Many programs require clinicals, field work, or residencies | Fewer programs require in-person | Some programs require practicums | Varies by program | Varies by program |
Key takeaways from this comparison:
- The comparison reveals OSU’s core positioning: it is the most selective and narrowest online option in this peer group, but it maintains the tightest credential integrity. Penn State World Campus offers dramatically more program variety and start-date flexibility, making it the natural alternative for students who want a Big Ten credential but can’t find their subject at OSU. Michigan State University occupies a middle ground — broader than OSU but more selective than Penn State’s catalog — and leans into education and criminal justice online where OSU does not.
- Indiana University Online is the breadth leader in this group with aggressive pricing, particularly for business and education programs. For cost-sensitive students, IU may deliver a comparable credential at lower total cost. Purdue University presents a different model entirely: Purdue Global serves access-oriented learners, while Purdue West Lafayette’s online engineering and STEM programs compete directly with OSU’s limited engineering offerings.
- The bottom line: if your target program exists at OSU online, you’re getting an unusually well-integrated flagship experience. If it doesn’t, you have multiple strong Big Ten alternatives without sacrificing much in credential recognition.
Best For
Ohio State’s online master’s programs are strongest for specific student profiles where the university’s concentrated strengths align with career goals:
- Nurses pursuing NP certification from a nationally ranked program. OSU’s College of Nursing offers six CCNE-accredited NP specialization tracks online. For nurses who want the credential strength of a top-15 nursing program and can manage clinical placement logistics, this is one of the strongest options available from a public university. The Psychiatric-Mental Health NP track is particularly noteworthy given growing demand in that specialization.
- Ohio-based educators and administrators who want a recognized state credential. The Ohio State name carries outsized weight with Ohio school districts and the state Department of Education. Teachers pursuing MEd specializations or administrators completing the Educational Administration MA benefit directly from OSU’s in-state employer network and alumni connections.
- Social work professionals who need CSWE accreditation from a research-intensive program. OSU’s online MSW provides both clinical and administrative tracks with the accreditation that matters for licensure. Students who want research-informed social work practice — not just a credentialing exercise — will find more intellectual depth here than at many competitor programs.
- Mid-career health professionals targeting CAHME-accredited MHA programs. The Master of Health Administration at OSU carries CAHME accreditation, which is increasingly important for leadership roles in hospital systems and large health organizations. Candidates already working in healthcare who need to formalize their credentials will find this program well-positioned.
- Working engineers who want a flagship engineering credential without career interruption. The fully online MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Master of Global Engineering Leadership allow engineers to add a master’s degree from a top-30 engineering college while continuing to work. The programs are efficient at 30 credits each.
Not a Best Fit For
Ohio State’s online master’s programs have real limitations, and certain student profiles are better served elsewhere:
Students who need a fully asynchronous, location-independent degree. A significant portion of OSU’s online programs — including nursing (clinicals), social work (field placement), the MBA (residencies), educational administration (practicum), health administration (applied capstone), and dietetics (supervised practice) — require in-person components. If you cannot travel to Ohio or arrange local supervised hours, many of OSU’s strongest programs become impractical.
Cost-sensitive out-of-state students without access to in-state tuition rates. While some OSU online programs extend in-state pricing to all students, this is not universal. Out-of-state tuition at Ohio State can escalate costs substantially, particularly for 60-credit programs like the MSW. Students in this situation should compare against institutions like Indiana University Online or University of Florida , which often offer competitive flat-rate online tuition.
Students who want broad program selection. With approximately 11 online master’s programs, OSU’s catalog is a fraction of what Penn State World Campus or Arizona State University offer. If you’re exploring cybersecurity, criminal justice, public administration, psychology, or communication, OSU simply doesn’t have online options for you.
Students who need rolling admissions or frequent start dates. Most OSU programs admit only in autumn via deadline-based admissions. If you need to start immediately or want multiple entry points throughout the year, institutions with rolling or quarterly admissions will be more accommodating.
Students who prioritize speed and want an accelerated path. OSU’s programs are structured at traditional pacing — 18 to 36 months for most degrees. Students seeking competency-based models or aggressively accelerated completion timelines should look at institutions like Western Governors University instead.
Featured Programs and Top Picks
From OSU’s online portfolio, these programs stand out for prospective students evaluating where to invest:
MSN — Psychiatric-Mental Health NP: Demand for psychiatric NPs is surging nationally, and OSU’s CCNE-accredited PMHNP track comes from a top-15 nursing college. The combination of credential strength, accreditation, and a high-demand specialization makes this arguably OSU’s most career-advantaged online offering.
Master of Social Work (MSW): The CSWE-accredited online MSW with both clinical and social administration concentrations offers genuine specialization choice. The advanced-standing option for BSW holders — cutting the program roughly in half — makes this particularly efficient for social workers who already hold a bachelor’s in the field.
MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering: Fully online, ABET-accredited, and only 30 credits. For working engineers who want a master’s from a nationally ranked engineering college without any campus visits, this is one of the most streamlined options in the Big Ten.
Master of Health Administration (MHA): CAHME accreditation distinguishes this from the many unaccredited MHA programs available online. At 44 credits, it’s a meaningful commitment, but the credential carries specific weight in hospital systems and health networks that prioritize CAHME-accredited hires for leadership roles.
Admissions Snapshot
Ohio State’s online master’s admissions operate on a deadline-based cycle, with most programs admitting students for autumn semester only. This is a significant constraint compared to institutions with rolling or quarterly admissions — you need to plan well ahead of the application deadline.
General requirements across most programs:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (competitive programs may expect higher)
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation (typically 2–3)
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
GRE/GMAT policy: Ohio State has moved toward GRE-optional or GRE-not-required for many online master’s programs. Education, nursing, social work, and health sciences programs generally do not require the GRE. The Fisher MBA may waive GMAT/GRE requirements based on professional experience. Engineering programs have variable policies — check individual program pages.
Program-specific requirements vary substantially. Nursing NP tracks require an active RN license, nursing experience, and documentation of clinical competencies. The MSW requires field placement readiness. The Educational Administration MA requires evidence of current employment in an educational setting. These prerequisites mean that not every program is open to all applicants, and the application process differs meaningfully from one program to the next.
Applicants should expect a structured, selective process — particularly for nursing and the Fisher MBA, where admission is competitive and cohort sizes are deliberately limited.
Tuition and Cost Overview
Cost at Ohio State varies more than at institutions with flat per-credit online pricing. Understanding the structure is important before comparing sticker prices.
The base graduate tuition rate for many OSU programs is approximately $553 per credit hour at the in-state rate. Several online programs extend this in-state rate to all students regardless of residency — a meaningful benefit for out-of-state enrollees in those programs. However, this is not universal, and professional programs often carry differential tuition.
Estimated total costs across the portfolio:
- MEd programs (30 credits): ~$16,590
- MA in Educational Administration (45 credits): ~$24,885
- MSW (60 credits, full program): ~$33,180 (advanced standing ~$16,590)
- MHA (44 credits): ~$24,332
- MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (30 credits): ~$16,590
- MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (30 credits): ~$16,590
- Master of Applied Statistics (30 credits): ~$16,590
- Master of Global Engineering Leadership (30 credits): ~$16,590
- Working Professional MBA and MSN: Varies — contact the program for current figures
In context, OSU’s 30-credit programs are competitively priced against peer Big Ten institutions for in-state students. The 60-credit MSW and 44-credit MHA are more substantial investments, though both carry programmatic accreditation that enhances their career value.
Financial aid: Online graduate students at OSU are eligible for federal financial aid (loans, including Grad PLUS). Graduate assistantships are more limited for online students than on-campus students, though some programs offer partial assistantships or tuition scholarships. Employer tuition reimbursement is common among OSU’s online student population — the deadline-based admissions and structured pacing align well with employer reimbursement cycles.
The cost tradeoff is straightforward: for programs where OSU extends in-state online pricing, the value proposition is strong. For programs that charge out-of-state rates, the calculus changes — you’re paying a premium for the Ohio State credential, and you should weigh whether that premium is justified against alternatives with comparable accreditation at lower price points.
Visit Ohio State University’s official online programs page
Related Rankings
To see where Ohio State fits within the broader landscape of online master’s education, these OMC rankings provide useful comparison context:
- Best Online Master’s Programs — A comprehensive ranking that evaluates program quality, flexibility, and value across institutions, providing broad context for how OSU’s offerings compare nationally.
- Most Affordable Online Master’s Programs — Useful for cost-conscious students evaluating whether OSU’s tuition fits within their budget compared to lower-cost alternatives.
- Best Online Master’s in Nursing — Relevant for prospective NP students weighing OSU’s College of Nursing against other top programs.
- Best Online Master’s in Education — Context for comparing OSU’s MEd and Educational Administration offerings against peer education programs.
- Best Online Master’s in Social Work — Directly relevant for students comparing CSWE-accredited online MSW programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ohio State online master’s degrees carry the same credential as on-campus degrees — the diploma does not distinguish between delivery formats. OSU is a top-20 public university with a Big Ten alumni network that is one of the largest in the country. Employer recognition is strong nationally and dominant in the Midwest, particularly in healthcare, education, and engineering. Programmatic accreditations (CCNE, CSWE, CAHME, AACSB, ABET) further reinforce employer confidence in specific programs.
Most Ohio State online master’s programs do not require the GRE. Education, nursing, social work, health administration, and several other programs have dropped the GRE requirement entirely. The Fisher MBA may waive the GMAT or GRE based on professional experience. Engineering programs have variable policies. Always verify current requirements with your specific program, as policies can change between admissions cycles.
It depends on the program. Several OSU programs — including the MEd (most specializations), MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Master of Applied Statistics, and Master of Global Engineering Leadership — can be completed fully online with no campus visits. However, nursing (clinical practicums), social work (field placements), the MBA (residency weekends), educational administration (practicum), health administration, and dietetics all require in-person components. Always check individual program requirements before applying.
Base graduate tuition is approximately $553 per credit hour at the in-state rate for many programs. Several online programs extend in-state pricing to all students regardless of residency. Total program costs range from approximately $16,590 for 30-credit programs to $33,180+ for the 60-credit MSW. Professional programs like the Fisher MBA and nursing specializations carry different fee structures. Financial aid, including federal loans and some graduate assistantships, is available.
The main difference is breadth versus selectivity. Penn State World Campus offers over 100 online programs with more start dates, rolling admissions for many degrees, and greater scheduling flexibility. Ohio State offers far fewer programs but maintains tight integration with its on-campus colleges and faculty. If your target field is available at OSU online, you’re likely getting a more research-embedded experience. If you need program variety, start-date flexibility, or a subject that OSU doesn’t offer online, Penn State World Campus is the stronger fit.
Yes. Online graduate students are eligible for federal financial aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans. Graduate assistantships are more limited for online students than for on-campus students, though some programs offer partial assistantships, tuition scholarships, or fellowship opportunities. Many OSU online students use employer tuition reimbursement programs, which align well with the structured semester-based pacing and deadline-based admissions cycle.
Completion time varies by program. Most 30-credit programs can be completed in 18 to 24 months with part-time enrollment. Longer programs — the 45-credit Educational Administration MA, 49-credit MBA, and 60-credit MSW — typically take 24 to 36 months. Nursing NP specializations generally require 24 to 36 months depending on the track and clinical hour requirements. OSU’s programs are paced traditionally; there are no competency-based or self-paced acceleration options.
For the right student, yes — it’s one of the stronger options nationally. OSU’s College of Nursing is consistently ranked in the top 15 for graduate nursing programs, and all six NP specializations are CCNE-accredited. The program is research-informed and produces graduates who compete well for NP positions. The caveat is clinical placement: all NP tracks require hundreds of supervised clinical hours, and students must coordinate approved sites, which can be challenging depending on location and competition for placements. If you can manage the clinical logistics, OSU’s nursing credential is genuinely top-tier among public university online MSN programs.