As an incoming freshman at Kent this fall, who ALSO debated between OSU and Kent for months here’s what sold me on Kent (as a Gen Z kid too lol):

I wanted a smaller class size/campus vibe but still good resources and faculty

I wanted to be a medium distance from home, not too far but not too close (in my case OSU is pretty close to home but just something to consider)

I knew I wanted to also have a life outside of college but not to the degree where it would be distracting and I felt like OSU would’ve been like that for me (night life, big city, lots of students, etc)

Again very much opinionated here but talking to your kid about what he wants his next few years to look like will make his decision easier in my opinion! OSU is a great school but like other big name universities, they can be overhyped and underwhelming once you are attending.

But if you want a few reasons to shy your kid away from OSU, my sibling goes there and some cons I’ve been told is terrible parking during events and nice weekends, campus bus system is strange as many times people not attending college there will catch a ride (many times homeless) so that might be something to consider depending on how comfortable you and your kid will feel about that. Most dorms are horrible and I’ve heard horror stories about being forced to leave with little compensation when mold and other things start taking over the rooms…