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Physics at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
67
Optimistic
65
Base Case
63
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,504/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 14.3x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 75 Physics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $767K $733K $648K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.9x 14.3x 12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 4.8x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 67 65 63

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 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,357
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $53,504 per year, Physics graduates from Ohio State University-Main Campus earn slightly above the $46,482 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 14.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $21,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #10 out of 75 programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus's Physics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $53,504 to $80,357 over five years (50% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State University-Main Campus accepts 51% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 44,617 students enrolled in Columbus, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio State University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Physics teachers, postsecondary $97,360/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 75 schools offering Physics →

Physics at Other Schools

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($70,150) Brigham Young University ($68,664) University of Pennsylvania ($68,215) Whitworth University ($65,316) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($64,045) Portland State University ($62,749) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($62,647) Georgia College & State University ($62,478)

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Computer Engineering ($83,342) 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)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ohio State University-Main Campus's Physics program score?
This program scores 65/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Physics graduates.
How vulnerable is Physics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Physics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Ohio State University-Main Campus rank so high for Physics?
The #10 ranking out of 75 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 →