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Computer Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
85
Base Case
78
Pessimistic
Earnings $83,342/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)
ROI 18.6x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #31 of 174 Computer Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,016K $958K $734K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.8x 18.6x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.2x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 74% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 85 78

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 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$106,752
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $83,342 at Ohio State University-Main Campus come in 6% above the national median of $78,694 for Computer Engineering programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Engineering's typical career paths, with 71% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 28% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $83,342 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #31 of 174 nationally, this is a top-5% Computer Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $83,342 to $106,752 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

A 51% admission rate makes Ohio State University-Main Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, 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

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 174 schools offering Computer Engineering →

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($141,588) University of Washington-Bothell Campus ($141,588) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($118,232) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($111,560) Duke University ($111,145) Santa Clara University ($103,804) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($103,123) Columbia University in the City of New York ($102,083)

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

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) Real Estate ($72,769)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Engineering 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
This program scores 85/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Computer Engineering careers?
With 71% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $733,679 in decade earnings vs $1,015,953 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Ohio State University-Main Campus's Computer Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #31 of 174 programs nationally, Ohio State University-Main Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →