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Economics at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,209/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #118 of 351 Economics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $691K $671K $588K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.4x 13.0x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.4x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 66

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 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,851
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $50,209 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 13.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $21,000 in median debt against $50,209 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #118 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Ohio State University-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 45% earnings increase from $50,209 to $72,851 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

With a 51% acceptance rate, Ohio State University-Main Campus is moderately selective, 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

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

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 Economics 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

What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →