Student Life Survey

Last Updated: 2026 SLS

• 83% of all Ohio State students report being involved with at least one campus activity, including 84% of undergraduate students, 79% of graduate students and 84% of professional students.
• Undergraduate students: The top 3 activities undergraduate students were involved in were student organizations (57%), working at an on-campus job (29%), and participating in a one-day service event (26%).
• Graduate students: The top 3 activities graduate students were involved in were research with a faculty member (48%), student organizations (26%), and a capstone project or experience (22%).
• Professional students: The top 3 activities professional students were involved in were student organizations (64%), one-day service events (27%), and ongoing service/volunteer programs (23%).

Last Updated: 2026 SLS

Undergraduate students: 
Compared to undergraduate students who were not involved, undergraduate students who were involved with campus activities were:

• 1.9 times more likely to indicate that their experiences at Ohio State helped them to set professional goals (p < .05).
• 2.2 times more likely to have developed as a leader during their time at Ohio State (p < .001).
• 2.1 times more likely to share that their wellness has become more important to them while at Ohio State (p < .001).

Graduate and professional students:
Compared to graduate and professional students who were not involved, graduate and professional students who were involved with campus activities were:

• 2.2 times more likely to have developed as a leader during their time at Ohio State (p < .001).
• 1.7 times more likely to report that wellness has become more important to them while at Ohio State (p < .05).
• 1.6 times more likely to recommend Ohio State to other students (p < .05).

Last Updated: 2026 SLS

Undergraduate students:
Compared to undergraduate students who were not involved, undergraduate students who were involved with campus activities were:

• 2.1 times more likely to have a sense of belonging at Ohio State (p < .05).
• 2.0 times more likely to have relationships with other Ohio State students (p < .05).
• 1.7 times more likely to participate in Ohio State traditions (p < .05)

Graduate and Professional Students:
Compared to graduate and professional students who were not involved, graduate and professional students who were involved with campus activities were:

• 2.5 times more likely to have relationships with Ohio State faculty (p < .05).
• 2.4 times more likely to have relationships with other Ohio State students (p < .05).
• 2.0 times more likely to participate in Ohio State traditions (p < .01)

Composite Sense of Belonging Scores:
Students rate their agreement with five statements related to their sense of belonging at Ohio State on a four-point Likert scale (i.e., Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree). A composite belonging score ranging from one (low sense of belonging) to four (high sense of belonging) was created using the five belonging items.

• Involved undergraduate students had significantly higher belonging scores (M = 3.08) than undergraduate students who were not involved (M = 2.83) (p < .001).
• Involved graduate and professional students had significantly higher belonging scores (M = 3.20) than graduate students who were not involved (M = 2.94) (p < .001)