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Communication & Journalism at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,040/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,900 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 16 Communication & Journalism programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication & Journalism graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $532K $526K $481K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.2x 9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.4x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 39% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,436
Out-of-state: $153,460 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,375
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,611
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Ohio State University-Main Campus's Communication & Journalism graduates start at $41,040/yr — above the $34,532 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 10.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 65% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,375 debt-to-$41,040 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #3 out of 16 programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus's Communication & Journalism program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,040 to $54,611 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State University-Main Campus's 51% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 44,617 in Columbus, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio State University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr
Editors $75,260/yr
Writers and authors $72,270/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 16 schools offering Communication & Journalism →

Communication & Journalism at Other Schools

Wisconsin Lutheran College ($44,511) University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ($43,969) Grand Valley State University ($40,415) University of Nebraska at Omaha ($39,400) West Virginia University ($38,660) Berry College ($36,931) California Lutheran University ($34,432) Farmingdale State College ($33,836)

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Computer Engineering ($83,342) Applied Mathematics ($82,523) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($82,448) Industrial Engineering ($80,876) Mechanical Engineering ($79,359) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,872) Engineering, Other ($78,734) Chemical Engineering ($77,455)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Communication & Journalism trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ohio State University-Main Campus's Communication & Journalism program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Communication & Journalism. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication & Journalism to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication & Journalism careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Ohio State University-Main Campus rank so high for Communication & Journalism?
The #3 ranking out of 16 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →