History at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,663/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #308 of 389 History programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $527K $523K $487K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.2x 10.2x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.4x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 35

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
$19,838
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,823
79% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,663 place Ohio State University-Main Campus below the $32,281 national median for History — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI History programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in History's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,838 represents roughly 9 months of the $26,663 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #308 of 389 History programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $47,823 show a 79% jump from the $26,663 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

A 51% admission rate makes Ohio State University-Main Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 44,617 students enrolled in Columbus, OH.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
History teachers, postsecondary $81,500/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

History at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
A score of 35/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace History careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $486,822 in decade earnings vs $526,616 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with History from Ohio State University-Main Campus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →