Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's communication disorders program follows the classic pre-graduate school trajectory, where first-year earnings of $23,509 reflect entry-level positions while graduates pursue required master's degrees. The dramatic 114% earnings jump to $50,300 by year four suggests many complete their graduate training and enter speech-language pathology or audiology roles, which typically require advanced degrees for licensure. With $19,500 in debt—about $5,000 below Ohio's median for this major—students carry less than a year's starting salary into whatever comes next.

The below-median early earnings (40th percentile in Ohio) matter less here than in most fields, since this bachelor's serves primarily as a stepping stone rather than a terminal degree. What's more relevant: Ohio State provides solid preparation at a reasonable debt load compared to other Ohio programs, several of which saddle students with debt exceeding $24,000. Kent State graduates do earn about $4,000 more initially, but Ohio State's competitive admission standards (SAT 1407) and strong university resources likely translate to better graduate school placements.

If your child is committed to speech-language pathology or audiology, this program offers a manageable financial foundation for the required graduate work ahead. Just budget for those additional years and understand that the bachelor's alone won't support a professional career in this field—it's the admission ticket, not the destination.