Ohio State University - Columbus

Visiting your child at Ohio State means flying into John Glenn Columbus International (CMH), about 8-12 miles from campus. Plan the US visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from CMH to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a B1/B2 visitor visa. First-time interview waits are long and vary sharply by consulate, so city choice matters - you may book at ANY US consulate in India, not just your home city.

• Plan 8-12 months ahead, especially for graduation - graduations do NOT qualify for emergency/expedited appointments.
• You can book at any consulate in India; many families fly to Chennai to save months versus Mumbai or Delhi.
• The dropbox (interview waiver) window shrank from 48 to 12 months in 2025 - most parents with older expired visas now need a full interview.
• Visitor stays are up to 6 months per visit, set by the officer at entry on the I-94.

Just admitted to Ohio State? Most Indian students enter on an F-1 academic visa (DS-160 fee $185 + SEVIS I-901 fee $350). J-1 is for exchange programs (SEVIS $220), M-1 for vocational study. Spouses/children come on F-2/J-2/M-2 dependent visas. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date. For Fall 2026, Indian F-1 applicants must interview at one of five US consulates in India.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into John Glenn Columbus International (CMH) - ~8-12 miles from campus.
• From CMH, a taxi/rideshare (~$22-27) is simplest; COTA AirConnect + bus is the budget route.
• Once enrolled, ride the free CABS campus shuttles and COTA city buses.
• Confirm student baggage allowance with your airline.
• Carry your I-20, SEVIS receipt and financial documents in hand luggage for US immigration.

Columbus is an affordable, fast-growing capital city built around Ohio State - about $1,300-1,900 a month all-in sharing and cooking, with shared University-District rooms as low as $500-900. The student edge: OSU students ride COTA city buses free with a BuckID, and the campus CABS shuttles are free too, so a car is optional. The University District is walkable and dense.

Monthly cost of living in Columbus (a student estimate)

That's roughly $15,000-23,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Columbus is affordable, anchored by Ohio State. Most students share apartments in the University District or take OSU housing first year.

• OSU students ride COTA buses free with a BuckID - and the campus CABS shuttles are free too.
• The University District is walkable and very student-dense.
• Columbus is an affordable, fast-growing capital city.

Working part-time

On an F-1 visa you can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during term (full-time in breaks). Off-campus work needs authorization - CPT during study, OPT after (up to 12 months, +24 for STEM degrees). You cannot freelance or work off-campus without approval.

Safety & student support

Columbus is generally safe in the campus and main residential areas; use normal awareness at night, especially in the busy off-campus student blocks.

• Ohio State runs security escorts, free CABS shuttles and safety apps - use them after dark.
• The University District is busy and student-dense; use awareness on quieter side streets at night.
• Stick to well-travelled routes; the free campus shuttles help avoid walking alone late.

Indian community & food

Columbus has a growing Indian community across the metro and suburbs (Dublin, Hilliard), with groceries, temples and restaurants.

Indian grocery stores

• Patel Brothers (6600 Saw Mill Rd) in the Dublin area - the metro's main desi supermarket.
• Sahib Indian Grocery and other desi stores across the northern suburbs (Dublin, Hilliard).
• Smaller Indian markets near the OSU campus for everyday staples.

Student community

• Ohio State has a large Indian/South Asian student community with major Diwali/Holi events.
• The suburbs host Indian cultural festivals and Hindu temples.

• A good range of Indian restaurants near campus and in the suburbs.

Cost & living figures for Columbus last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.