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Public Administration at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $41,650/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (528,800 openings/yr)

ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #26 of 45 Public Administration programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$605K	$594K	$540K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.8x	11.6x	10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.9x	3.9x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	49%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	64	63	61

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 (3.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,168

-42% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,423

52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Ohio State University-Main Campus's Public Administration graduates start at $41,650/yr, trailing the $49,353 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Administration programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Administration's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,500 in median debt clears quickly against $41,650 in annual earnings.

Ranked #26 of 45 Public Administration programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $63,423 show a 52% jump from the $41,650 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State University-Main Campus's 51% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 44,617 students enrolled in Columbus, OH.

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

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Construction managers $106,980/yr

View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Public Administration at Other Schools

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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 Public Administration at Ohio State University-Main Campus?

This program scores 63/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Public Administration programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Public Administration careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $539,811 in decade earnings vs $604,814 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Public Administration 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 →