Physicsat Ohio State University-Main Campus
Graduates earn $53,504/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $733K; scenarios range from $648K to $767K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Ohio State
Your decision to pursue physics at Ohio State places you within a highly respected program, known for its robust research opportunities and strong faculty. The university's status as a major public research institution means you'll have access to cutting-edge labs and projects, which is invaluable for a field like physics. This strong foundation often leads graduates into competitive roles in tech, data science, engineering, or prestigious graduate programs, rather than exclusively direct "physicist" roles post-bachelor's.
Columbus itself offers a dynamic job market, with opportunities in areas like defense contractors, finance, and tech that value the analytical rigor of a physics degree. However, the "Very High" AI risk for many physics-related careers means your success will increasingly hinge on developing skills that complement, rather than compete with, AI. Focus on interdisciplinary studies, complex problem-solving, and communicating scientific concepts effectively, as these human-centric skills will be your greatest assets in an evolving landscape.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Ohio State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Physics
How Ohio State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Ohio State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Ohio State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at Ohio State
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.