Congratulations! You’re In!
Welcome, undergraduate students, to The Ohio State University and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs – a welcoming place for all Buckeyes who want to make a positive impact.
We’re excited to see how your unique Glenn College experience will help you reach your specific goals, and we’re beyond grateful for the mark you’ll leave on our community.
Welcome from Dean Trevor Brown
“The world needs leaders driven by their values, public policies that positively impact people’s lives, and citizens committed to the public good.
That means we need you.
Come join us in strengthening democracy and improving the lives of others. We’re ready to help you learn, grow and give back.”
Student Success
Our nationally-ranked programs and personalized advising are the foundation for your success. We'll help you build a strong academic core and secure hands-on internships, ensuring you're prepared to launch a meaningful career.
96.00%
Glenn College graduates employed or pursuing an additional degree within 6 months of graduation.
90.00%
Glenn College students who complete internships within their desired field.
Over 90% of Glenn College students complete internships within their desired field.
Recent Student Internships:
- Government Affairs Intern, Apple
- Young Latino Network
- Ohio Department of Education
- Free the Facts
- Development and Engagement Intern, Upper Arlington Community Foundation
- Federal/Advocacy Intern, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Policy and Regulatory Intern, Go Sustainable Energy, LLC
- Congressional Intern for Representative Jim Jordan
- Congressional Intern for Representative Marcy Kaptur
- Communications Intern, OhioHealth
- Columbus City Council
- Ohio Secretary of State
- Communications Intern, U.S. Senate
- National Rural Health Association
- International Republican Institute
Glenn College bachelor’s degree graduates:
- Median debt: $20,500
- Median salary:
- 3 years: $48,337
- 5 years: $63,423
Data according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Glenn College graduates pursue roles in local, federal and state government, nonprofit organizations and companies pursuing the public good.
Typical state and local government job titles and starting salaries in Ohio include:
- Project Management Specialist: $60,040
- Management Analyst: $63,220
- Budget Analyst: $55,750
- Urban and Regional Planner: $50,650
- Public Communications Specialist: $48,070
- Financial Manager: $52,560
- Fundraiser: $48,710
- Social and Community Service Manager: $61,060
Ohio salary data according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Academics
Glenn College academics are a balance of:
- Knowledge and Skills: We will challenge you in the classroom to think broadly and deeply about the issues facing today’s citizens and equip you with the tools to solve them.
- Experiences: We will help you use your new skills to make an impact outside the classroom through internships, student groups and volunteer opportunities.
- Relationships: We will connect you to staff, faculty, students and alumni across the country that have a similar passion for making communities stronger.
“Our entire curriculum is designed to prepare you to answer: What problems do people need solved? How should we go about solving them? How should we fund the solutions? And how do you lead a team to make these solutions happen?
We’re always updating our courses based on what this work requires, even adding undergraduate research opportunities and new one-credit skills courses that employers are looking for.”
– Professor Jill Clark, Chair of Undergraduate Curriculum
Bachelor of Arts in Public Management, Leadership and Policy
- PUBAFRS 2110: Introduction to Public Affairs
- PUBAFRS 2120: Public Service and Civic Engagement
- PUBAFRS 2130: Leadership in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
- PUBAFRS 3000: Public Policy Analysis
- PUBAFRS 3500: Public Management
- PUBAFRS 4030: Public Budgeting
- PUBAFRS 4310: State and Local Finance
Bachelor of Science in Public Policy Analysis
The Glenn College advising experience is celebrated by students as personalized, accessible and service-oriented. As a small college at a big university, we take advantage of our size to ensure each student’s success.
“When asked about the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, I always emphasize the outstanding advisors. I am deeply grateful for the personal support and kindness from my advisor, who provides an immense amount of stability, guidance and is always available to respond to my quick questions!” – Maureen B., Public Affairs Student
Ranked in the top 10% by U.S. News and World Report.
No. 16 Nationally among the nation’s top public affairs schools.
No. 1 in Ohio
7 Ranked Specialties:
- #7 Public Management and Leadership
- #9 Nonprofit Management
- #18 Local Government Management
- #19 Social Policy
- #20 Public Policy Analysis
- #22 Urban Policy
- #25 Public Finance
Location
Our location in Columbus, Ohio provides direct access to opportunity, meaningful relationships and the resources a city can offer.
- The college's location in the state's capital means access to many state-level internships and job opportunities in state and local government.
- Ohio's largest metropolitan area is Central Ohio. The Columbus region is home to over 1,200 nonprofit organizations with opportunities for volunteer experiences, internships and careers.
- The Ohio State University is nationally respected for public administration expertise. We are ranked top 10% in the nation and No. 1 in Ohio so local, state and national organizations seek out Glenn College experts, interns and graduates.
- Ohio's prominence and influence in national elections make our state a center of policy discussions and our campus a destination for political events and visitors.
- The Glenn College offers TWO undergraduate degree options and NINE minors. Many of the nation's top programs do not have a large undergraduate offering.
Student Organizations and Involvement
“There’s a community for you here. Students, staff and faculty alike are incredibly open to connecting and helping each other!” – Rebeca Vinserio, Public Management Student
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm ready to commit! What are my next steps to accept my offer?
To keep your admission on track, please follow these instructions from the university's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
What is the Public Affairs Living-Learning Community (LLC)? What are the benefits, and how do I apply to join it?
John Glenn Civic Leadership Community is a living-learning community for all students who aspire to make a difference in the world and have an interest in public policy, politics, civic engagement, leadership and service.
Benefits:
- Personalized welcome week programming
- Experiential programming including a trip to Washington D.C., and tours of the Ohio State House and Ohio Supreme Court
- Professional connections
- One-on-one support
- Priority Housing
I've been admitted to Ohio State, but not to the Glenn College. What is the process to change my intended major to public affairs?
What happens at New Student Orientation for Glenn College students?
How do I use ScholarshipUniverse?
The university offers hundreds of special-eligibility scholarships with a wide variety of eligibility criteria. ScholarshipUniverse is a scholarship-matching tool that simplifies the process of finding and applying for scholarships from Ohio State and more than 12,000 external sources, such as churches, professional, civic or service organizations, private foundations, the military, and more.
Log in to ScholarshipUniverse using your Ohio State username (lastname.#) and password and create your account. Based on your profile and your current academic status at Ohio State, you'll be matched with scholarships that you might qualify for. Be sure to complete all required steps. See user instructions and tips.
Are there specific scholarships available only for incoming Glenn College students?
Yes. Browse specific Glenn College scholarship opportunities.
When will I receive my full financial aid package from the university?
Financial aid notifications for newly admitted students are available to view online in March or April. Check your university email account for your aid notification email and follow the instructions to review your package. You can learn more on our Accept Aid page.
Where can I find a detailed breakdown of tuition, fees, and the estimated total cost of attendance?
Another helpful resource is Ohio State’s Net Price Calculator (NPC), which provides an early estimate of the expected cost to attend Ohio State, and how much financial aid your family might qualify for.
The NPC is a very valuable financial planning tool. The NPC is an estimation tool, not an application for admission or an application for financial aid.
What is the real difference between the B.A. and the B.S. degree? What career paths do they each lead to?
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Management, Leadership and Policy prepares students for roles like social enterprise entrepreneur, city manager, campaign manager or lobbyist with skills in management, policy, economics and finance.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Policy Analysis will help you use data to solve problems and shape policy in a career such as policy advisor, budget and research director or nonprofit financial officer.
Do you offer a Combined Degree Program?
Yes! Frequently called a 5-year program, or a 3/2 program, our combined degree program allows students to earn undergraduate and Master of Public Administration degrees from the Glenn College in five years or less.
How do I choose between the B.A. and the B.S.? Can I change my mind after I start?
The main difference is in the skills you want to build:
- Choose the B.A. in Public Management, Leadership and Policy if you are interested in leading people, managing organizations, and shaping the "big picture" of public service (like a future city manager or campaign manager).
- Choose the B.S. in Public Policy Analysis if you love working with data and want to use strong analytical skills to solve problems and shape policy (like a future policy advisor or budget analyst).
And yes, you can absolutely change your mind after you start! Both degrees share foundational courses, making it easy to explore your options. Your academic advisor will work closely with you during your first year to help you confirm which path is the best fit for your goals.
What does a typical first-year schedule look like for a Glenn College student?
What is the average class size for my core Glenn College courses?
How easy is it to double-major or add a minor from another college (like Arts & Sciences, Business, or International Studies)?
Many Glenn College students double-major or enroll in minors from other specializations. We encourage this! You'll work with your advisor to identify the best program based on your goals, and we'll help walk you through the steps to declare.
Who will be my academic advisor, and how soon can I connect with them?
The page mentions 90% of students complete internships. Are internships required for graduation?
Internships are not required but highly recommended.
How exactly does the Glenn College help students find and secure high-quality internships?
The Glenn College is constantly receiving internship and job listings from our alumni and hiring managers in local, state and federal government organizations, as well as nonprofits and companies like Deloitte. We share those job and internship openings with our students through 1-1 connection, monthly newsletters and daily LinkedIn posts on our careers page.
Our career services office also helps with:
- Resume and cover letter review
- Career planning
- Job and internship search strategies
- Mock interviews
- Evaluation of employment offers
Our established internship programs create additional avenues for opportunity.
What percentage of students go directly to graduate school, and what programs do they pursue?
About 25% of Glenn College students pursue an additional degree. Most pursue their Master of Public Administration (check out our Combined Degree Program) or a Juris Doctor.
What are some of the most active student organizations specifically within the Glenn College?
We are lucky to have very active student organizations that provide a deeper level of community and connection within the college.
Kappa Omega Alpha: The professional, co-ed public policy fraternity empowers Ohio State students to engage with alumni, public service professionals and community leaders through meaningful opportunities and connections.
International City Management Association, Student Chapter: Network with professional city and county managers as well as peers who are similarly passionate about building the local governments of tomorrow.
Public Affairs Multicultural Student Organization (PAMSO): PAMSO's mission is to foster a safe and welcoming community within the Glenn College and Ohio State.
Is there a way for me to connect with a current Glenn College student or professor before I make my decision?
We would love to connect you with a professor or a student to ask questions and feel more confident about your college decision.
Please email us at askglenn@osu.edu to request this connection. It will help to tell us about yourself, what information you’re looking for and the kind of person you’re hoping to speak with.
What kind of events does the college host to help new students connect with each other and with faculty?
The Glenn College kicks off connection before you even arrive at Ohio State. Our admission events this spring and orientation programming this summer will help you begin the relationship building that makes the Glenn experience so unique.
At the beginning of fall semester, Welcome Week will include a variety of events to connect with fellow students, faculty and staff.
Throughout the year, a series of events will continue to pull our community together. These include: Town Hall Talks, Career Conversations, holiday gatherings, networking events and more!