Public Policyat Ohio State University-Main Campus
Graduates earn $41,650/yr in their first year — about 16.0% below the national Public Policy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $594K; scenarios range from $540K to $605K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Ohio State
Ohio State University-Main Campus's Public Policy graduates start at $41,650/yr, trailing the $49,353 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Policy programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Public Policy's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,500 in median debt clears quickly against $41,650 in annual earnings.
Ranked #26 of 45 Public Policy programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $63,423 show a 52% jump from the $41,650 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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 Public Policy
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.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Public Policy offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Public Policy trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Public Policy at Ohio State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
This program scores 63/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Public Policy programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Public Policy careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $539,811 in decade earnings vs $604,814 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Public Policy from Ohio State University-Main Campus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.