Ohio University-Main Campus
Ohio University-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ohio University-Main Campus at a Glance
Ohio University is a public research university with its main campus in Athens, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1804, it was the first university established in the former Northwest Territory. The university enrolled about 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students in Athens as of 2023. It maintains seven regional and extension campuses across Ohio.
1804
222 years old
$886M
$886 million ( FY 2025)
24,937
19,100 undergrad · 5,837 grad
1,288
1,850 acres
Identity
Is Ohio University-Main Campus Worth It?
Ohio University-Main Campus offers moderate value at $21,637/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $52,581, which is 2% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Ohio University-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #73 of 97 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #6 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #73 | Ohio University-Main Campus | 40 | $21,637 | $52,581 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Ohio University-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in OH.
Best Programs at Ohio University-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at Ohio University-Main Campus is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $65,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Ohio University-Main Campus earns $65,900, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $24,812 in median debt vs. $22,283 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,637/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,900 | $65,900 | $24,812 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,100 | $61,100 | $16,247 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,100 | $60,100 | $22,894 |
| Computer Science | $59,700 | $59,700 | $25,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $59,400 | $59,400 | $28,125 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $58,900 | $58,900 | $22,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $56,200 | $56,200 | $26,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,200 | $55,200 | $25,658 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $55,200 | $55,200 | $24,351 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $54,300 | $54,300 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,100 | $52,100 | $24,741 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,800 | $50,800 | $23,250 |
| Marketing | $44,900 | $44,900 | $24,777 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $41,300 | $41,300 | $18,695 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,400 | $40,400 | $18,783 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $37,600 | $37,600 | $25,124 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,800 | $35,800 | $22,200 |
| Housing and Human Environments | $35,300 | $35,300 | N/A |
| Apparel and Textiles | $35,200 | $35,200 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,800 | $33,800 | $22,133 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $33,300 | $33,300 | $24,500 |
| Journalism | $33,200 | $33,200 | $23,475 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $32,500 | $32,500 | $23,270 |
| Music | $31,900 | $31,900 | $26,370 |
| Economics | $31,800 | $31,800 | $25,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,500 | $31,500 | $25,625 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,100 | $31,100 | $22,125 |
| Criminology | $30,700 | $30,700 | $16,000 |
| Sociology | $30,700 | $30,700 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,300 | $30,300 | $22,466 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,700 | $29,700 | $23,833 |
| Social Work | $29,400 | $29,400 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,700 | $28,700 | $22,850 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $27,700 | $27,700 | $22,916 |
| Psychology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $23,635 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $25,900 | $25,900 | $23,686 |
| Geography and Cartography | $25,500 | $25,500 | $26,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $24,900 | $24,900 | $24,083 |
| History | $21,500 | $21,500 | $22,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $19,100 | $19,100 | $22,166 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,600 | $18,600 | $25,394 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,400 | $17,400 | $22,283 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Athens, OH
- Student Body
- 19,633 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,637
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,581
- Median Student Debt
- $21,056