Environmental Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
66 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
67
Optimistic
66
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,938/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (23,100 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 47 Environmental Health Engineering programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Ohio State's program in Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering consistently performs as a national leader, a testament to its strong curriculum and the university's broad reach. You'll benefit from the prestige of a major public institution and a robust alumni network, which translates into excellent recruiting pipelines. Columbus's diverse and growing economy, encompassing manufacturing, consulting, and government sectors, creates significant local demand for your skills in designing sustainable solutions and ensuring regulatory compliance. Expect opportunities with major engineering firms, state environmental agencies, and even large industrial employers expanding in Ohio, all seeking expertise in environmental management and public health. While the field faces significant AI risk, the nuanced, site-specific problem-solving and regulatory expertise central to environmental engineering will remain vital. Therefore, prioritize internships and developing strong communication skills to leverage these uniquely human strengths.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $772K $745K $651K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.0x 14.5x 12.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 4.9x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 67 66 64

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 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,295
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,092
24% 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

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors $109,660/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Environmental Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 66/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Environmental Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
At 66/100, Ohio State University-Main Campus's Environmental Engineering program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Environmental Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Ohio State University-Main Campus one of the best schools for Environmental Engineering?
Among 47 Environmental Engineering programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →