Liberal Arts and Sciences at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,393/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 9.7x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #119 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $497K $497K $473K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.7x 9.7x 9.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.2x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 41

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 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,273
14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,393 at Ohio State University-Main Campus come in 17% above the national median of $37,172 for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs.

At 9.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 5%. Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

With first-year pay of $43,393 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #119 out of 424 programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus's Liberal Arts and Sciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $43,393 to $49,273 over five years (14% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

A 51% admission rate makes Ohio State University-Main Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 44,617 students in Columbus, OH.

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

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ohio State University-Main Campus's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →