Ohio State's return on investment ranks at the 67.4th percentile with above average performance nationally. However, graduates earn $9,306 below expectations relative to similar students, placing earnings uplift at the 17th percentile. Median earnings reach $60,409 annually at the 73rd percentile, while debt levels of $19,976 align closely with the peer median of $20,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 indicates sustainable repayment conditions, with annual debt service representing manageable portions of post-graduation income. While absolute earnings levels support financial stability, the below-expected performance suggests that Ohio State's premium may not translate into salary advantages commensurate with student preparation. Students should weigh the university's comprehensive resources and reputation against the earnings gap when evaluating overall investment value and career preparation effectiveness.
Ohio State graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $51,438 six years after enrollment to $56,186 at eight years and $60,409 at ten years. This represents 17.4% growth from the six-year mark, indicating steady career advancement for graduates. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 15,099 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Earnings span from $39,834 at the 25th percentile to $88,954 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the university's diverse program portfolio and varied career pathways. Low-income graduates earn $49,900, demonstrating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Approximately 24.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. While graduates earn nearly identical amounts to peer institutions, the university's comprehensive offerings and strong alumni network support career development across multiple industries and sectors.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Upper quartile, 10-year field
Earnings variation at Ohio State reflects diverse academic programs and career pathways. The gap between 25th percentile ($39,834) and 75th percentile ($88,954) earnings represents substantial outcome differences based on field selection and career development. Low-income graduates earn $49,900, demonstrating reasonable outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. This earnings spread indicates opportunities for economic advancement across student populations while highlighting the importance of program choice in determining post-graduation financial outcomes and career trajectory potential.
Earnings outcomes at Ohio State show substantial variation across programs and career paths. The gap between the 25th percentile ($39,834) and 75th percentile ($88,954) represents a 2.2:1 ratio, reflecting differences in field of study and post-graduation career trajectories. Computer Engineering graduates earn the highest median salary at $94,224, while programs like Psychology show more modest outcomes at $44,475. Business and engineering programs generally cluster in the higher earning ranges, with Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earning $82,036. Earnings demonstrate steady growth over time, increasing by 17.4% between the six-year and ten-year measurement points. With over 15,000 graduates included in the ten-year earnings analysis, these figures represent outcomes across Ohio State's full range of academic programs rather than isolated high-performing tracks.
Financial justification for the investment.
Earnings variation at Ohio State reflects diverse academic programs and career pathways. The gap between 25th percentile ($39,834) and 75th percentile ($88,954) earnings represents substantial outcome differences based on field selection and career development. Low-income graduates earn $49,900, demonstrating reasonable outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. This earnings spread indicates opportunities for economic advancement across student populations while highlighting the importance of program choice in determining post-graduation financial outcomes and career trajectory potential.
Approximately 24.8% of Ohio State graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways. This continuation rate reflects the university's comprehensive academic preparation and suggests strong foundational education supporting further study.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Computer Engineering drives Ohio State's strongest earnings outcomes at $94,224 median earnings, followed by Chemical Engineering at $88,132 and Electrical Engineering at $87,656. Business programs demonstrate solid performance with Banking and Financial Support Services producing $82,036 earnings and Business Administration generating $73,933. Psychology, despite large enrollment of 550 students, produces more modest earnings at $44,475, while Biology graduates earn $51,478. This program diversity enables different career pathways while supporting the university's overall earnings performance through engineering and business program strength. Students should consider program-specific outcomes when evaluating potential return on investment and career preparation alignment with their professional goals and financial expectations.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
