Journalism at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,955/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #51 of 178 Journalism programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $649K $627K $553K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.6x 12.2x 10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.1x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 36

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 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,824
100% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,955/yr, roughly in line with the $34,417 national median for Journalism. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Journalism programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Journalism's typical career paths, with 64% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,955 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #51 of 178 Journalism programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $63,824 show a 100% jump from the $31,955 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

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

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr
Editors $75,260/yr
Writers and authors $72,270/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Journalism at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Journalism at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Journalism. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Journalism careers?
With 64% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $552,790 in decade earnings vs $648,623 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →