Indiana vs Ohio State for a marketing major: which is better for undergrads?

The biggest practical tradeoff is this: Indiana tends to offer a more brand-name undergraduate business experience through Kelley, while Ohio State gives you a very strong business education with access to a huge university and the Columbus market. For marketing specifically, both can get you to internships and strong first jobs. Ohio State is still very credible, especially if you want the energy and employer access that come with being in a large capital city.

At Indiana, the Kelley School of Business is a real advantage. It has a long-standing reputation for undergraduate business, a large and active alumni network, and structured career support that many students find especially valuable when recruiting for internships and entry-level roles. For a student who wants a polished, business-focused undergrad environment where a lot of peers are also very career-oriented, Indiana usually has the edge.

Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business is also strong, and Columbus helps. The city has a growing business scene and opportunities to intern during the school year, which can matter a lot in marketing because experience often builds through multiple internships, student organizations, and hands-on projects. Ohio State also benefits from the reach and scale of the broader university, which can open doors across industries.

For marketing alone, I’d lean Indiana if your priority is the strongest undergraduate business brand and the most intentionally built pipeline from business school to recruiting. I’d lean Ohio State only if you are especially drawn to Columbus, want the advantages of a major urban setting during the school year, or prefer the broader OSU environment. Between the two, Indiana has the clearer edge for undergrad marketing.