Economics at Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University's economics program starts graduates below both state and national earnings benchmarks, with first-year earnings of $46,655 falling short of Ohio's $51,536 median and nearly $5,000 below the national average. Among Ohio's 42 economics programs, this sits at just the 40th percentile—trailing schools like Cincinnati, Miami, and even Kenyon by $10,000 or more. The debt load of $19,750 is reasonable at 42% of first-year income, but when combined with below-average earnings, it represents a weaker starting position than most state peers.

The 24% earnings growth to $58,025 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, bringing graduates closer to typical economics program outcomes. However, this improvement merely catches them up rather than pushing them ahead. For a program at a relatively accessible school (85% admission rate), these numbers suggest students might find better economics opportunities at other Ohio publics without significantly harder admissions.

The key caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. If your student is considering Ohio University specifically for other reasons—location, campus fit, cost advantages—the economics program won't saddle them with crushing debt. But purely as an investment in economics training, stronger options exist both in-state and nationally at this price point.