Does OSU have a predominant party life compared to studying and academics? I understand that it is a big state school so partying will be a factor, but UW Madison is known for its intense party scene as well as other big state schools. I have not heard much about the party scene at OSU.
Quite honestly, OSU has many fraternities and sororities which entail one thing: parties. However, the academics at OSU are quite impressive and outweigh the party scene. I personally have attended OSU’s Block, and I have enjoyed the atmosphere of students having fun before a big game. OSU’s athletics are all around pretty great which also makes for a party atmosphere. I do not know much about UW Madison, other than the party scene. However at OSU you hear academics THEN partying, going out, etc.
Big state schools are very big and very diverse, so there’s going to be a whole lot of everything, including parties. They’re made to be like an academic Disneyland. They even own football teams with more viewership than most NFL franchises. There’s something for everyone 
While there are definitely parties and and active social scene, I’ve found that they’re not the biggest factor unless you go looking for them. A LARGE portion of students focus far more heavily on academics, and I’ve never felt as if my academic experiences have been diminished due to the party scene (which is entirely off-campus, so you don’t have to see it unless you want to).
We live in Wisconsin so I am well familiar with Madison’s party reputation. My son is a freshman and from what he says he can find a party if he wants to, but there is truly no pressure to do so. And he has plenty of friends who don’t party. It also doesn’t seem to be at all a hinderance to his ability to study. Large universities like OSU and UW have so many different things to offer. Kids can really choose to get involved in whatever they want. In some ways I think there is less pressure to party than there is in smaller schools where “everyone is doing it”.
This is my daughter’s second year on campus and I don’t think she’s ever been to a party. Both years, her dorms were very quiet. There are definitely parties, but probably mostly off campus. So if you want to go to one, you go, but it’s not usually right in your face here.
One student’s opinion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_pMypRr9YI