Dietetics & Nutrition at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,247/yr (53% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Medium (10,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.5x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 37 Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Ohio State’s strong performance in Dietetics reflects its robust program within a large, research-focused university, combined with Columbus's thriving healthcare ecosystem. Major hospital systems like OSU Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, and Mount Carmel Health System provide ample clinical rotation opportunities and a strong local job market, particularly for specialized roles in medical nutrition therapy. This clinical emphasis often prepares graduates for higher-paying positions immediately after graduation. However, the high AI risk rating underscores a critical shift: many routine tasks performed by dietetic technicians, and even some basic nutritional assessments by dietitians, are susceptible to automation. To thrive, you’ll need to cultivate advanced skills in complex patient counseling, interdisciplinary collaboration, and personalized nutrition science, focusing on the nuanced human elements AI cannot replicate. Consider specializing in areas like critical care, sports nutrition, or public health to future-proof your career.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Dietetics & Nutrition graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $544K $538K $494K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.6x 10.5x 9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 45% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 42

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 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,222
11% growth from Year 1

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

With a 51% acceptance rate, Ohio State University-Main Campus is moderately selective, 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

Dietitians and nutritionists $73,850/yr
Dietetic technicians $37,040/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Dietetics & Nutrition at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

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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 Dietetics & Nutrition program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Dietetics & Nutrition. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Dietetics & Nutrition to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Dietetics & Nutrition careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Ohio State University-Main Campus rank so high for Dietetics & Nutrition?
The #4 ranking out of 37 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 →