Athens, OH · Private University
Is Ohio University-Main Campus Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$52,581
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,746
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,114
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$96,456
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.18x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
66.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,056
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,413
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Ohio University-Main Campus graduates earn $7,581 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Ohio University-Main Campus ranked by graduate earnings
42 graduates
51 graduates
61 graduates
175 graduates
219 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Ohio University-Main Campus
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Ohio University-Main Campus, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $89,197) and the lowest (Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies: $23,399) is $65,798/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $89,197 | 3.7x |
| Chemical Engineering | $84,847 | 3.5x |
| Computer Science | $81,470 | 3.4x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $76,246 | 3.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $75,600 | 3.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $74,733 | 3.1x |
| Industrial Engineering | $74,580 | 3.1x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $73,775 | 3.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,703 | 3.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $70,020 | 2.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $69,964 | 2.9x |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $68,889 | 2.9x |
| Marketing | $64,113 | 2.7x |
| Business/Managerial Economics(1yr data) | $60,236 | 2.5x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $60,077 | 2.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $59,913 | 2.5x |
| Economics | $58,025 | 2.4x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $57,396 | 2.4x |
| Chemistry | $55,606 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,818 | 2.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $53,053 | 2.2x |
| Journalism | $51,321 | 2.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $51,290 | 2.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,227 | 2.1x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $49,238 | 2.0x |
| Housing and Human Environments | $48,770 | 2.0x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $48,500 | 2.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $46,373 | 1.9x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $45,155 | 1.9x |
| Sociology | $45,087 | 1.9x |
| Criminology | $43,382 | 1.8x |
| Human Resources Management and Services(1yr data) | $43,125 | 1.8x |
| Social Work | $43,103 | 1.8x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $42,847 | 1.8x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $42,761 | 1.8x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $42,687 | 1.8x |
| Geography and Cartography | $42,424 | 1.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $42,105 | 1.8x |
| History | $41,689 | 1.7x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $41,518 | 1.7x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $41,203 | 1.7x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $40,855 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $40,267 | 1.7x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $38,637 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,521 | 1.6x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions(1yr data) | $38,381 | 1.6x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $37,883 | 1.6x |
| Music | $37,335 | 1.6x |
| Anthropology | $33,634 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,660 | 1.4x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $30,585 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other(1yr data) | $24,239 | 1.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $23,399 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Ohio University-Main Campus stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $52,581 10 years after starting — $7,581 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.