Design at Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Design and Applied Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,716/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk
High (38% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI
10.9x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Design graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $612K | $602K | $557K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.1x | 10.9x | 10.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.3x | 6.2x | 5.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 63% | 57% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 32 | 31 | 38 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,984
Out-of-state: $96,456 (6.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,422
116% growth from Year 1
About Ohio University-Main Campus
Ohio University-Main Campus accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 18,456 students in Athens, OH.
See all programs and financial aid at Ohio University-Main Campus →Top Career Paths
Art directors
$111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Design at Other Schools
Other Majors at Ohio 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 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design at Ohio University-Main Campus?
At 31/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Design degree from Ohio University-Main Campus?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design at Ohio University-Main Campus?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Ohio University-Main Campus a good choice for Design despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Ohio University-Main Campus's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →