Legal Studies at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
55
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $51,231/yr (30% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 37 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) programs Top 10%

Program Analysis

Your strong earnings potential from Ohio State's General Legal Studies program reflects the university’s robust academic reputation and its strategic location in Columbus. As a major state capital and growing economic hub, Columbus boasts a significant ecosystem of legal firms, government agencies, corporate headquarters, and non-profits, all needing individuals skilled in legal research, compliance, and regulatory understanding. This isn't just a "pre-law" track; it's a versatile degree that prepares you for diverse roles beyond traditional paralegal work, such as compliance analysis in finance or healthcare, or policy support in government. While some tasks in legal support face AI risk, your critical thinking and human judgment developed here remain highly valued. To maximize your outcome, actively pursue internships within Columbus's varied legal landscape to translate your academic knowledge into practical experience and build invaluable professional connections.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $598K $592K $556K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 11.5x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 50% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 55 54

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 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,342
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,038
29% 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

Legal support workers, all other $68,760/yr
Paralegals and legal assistants $61,010/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Legal Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Legal Studies at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
At 55/100, Ohio State University-Main Campus's Legal Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →