Communication & Media Studies 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%

Program Analysis

While the career paths listed seem traditional, your strong earning potential at Ohio State reflects the reality of a modern communications degree from a major public university. You aren't just learning to be a writer; you're being trained for strategic roles in a major state capital. Columbus is home to Fortune 500 companies like Nationwide Insurance, a massive state government, and a thriving ecosystem of marketing and PR agencies, all actively recruiting interns and new graduates from OSU’s deep talent pool. The university's vast alumni network creates a powerful hiring pipeline within this local market and across the Midwest. To stand out, especially given the AI risk to routine writing tasks, focus your coursework and internships on strategic communication, data analytics, or public affairs. This specialization will position you for higher-value corporate and agency jobs right after graduation.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication & Media Studies 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

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

Communication & Media Studies 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

How does Ohio State University-Main Campus's Communication & Media Studies program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Communication & Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication & Media Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication & Media Studies 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 & Media Studies?
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 →