Ohio University-Main Campus
- Graduation Rate
- 66% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,581 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $21,637 D+
- 26% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 85% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $13.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,050,044.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 29% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Ohio University Matters
Ohio University-Main Campus is a public research university in Athens, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 19,633
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Communications, Psychology
Why students choose Ohio University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 85% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1090–1290. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,637 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,581 ten years after enrolling — 29% above the typical college, against $21,056 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.63 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 85%, Ohio University in Athens is a welcoming choice for a diverse range of students. If you’re interested in fields like Health Professions, Business, Communications, Engineering, or Education, this school might be a perfect fit. The campus life here is vibrant, and the size—over 19,600 students—creates a dynamic environment where you can easily find your niche.
After graduation, students typically earn about $52,581 a year, which gives a solid indication of the potential return on investment for your education here. Many graduates find their paths in various industries, reflecting the practical skills they’ve developed during their studies. Affordability plays a role, too, as the net price of attending is around $21,637 after aid, making it accessible for many.
When it comes to financials, the median debt sits at $21,056, which is manageable compared to the earnings potential. Students who thrive here are often those who take advantage of the supportive community and engaging programs. With a good mix of affordability and academic offerings, Ohio University sets a solid foundation for a successful future.
Rankings
- #14 Best Online Education Programs in Ohio
- #17 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Ohio
- #18 Best Engineering Colleges in Ohio
- #18 Best Online Nursing Programs in Ohio
- #19 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Ohio
- #20 Best Online Business Programs in Ohio
- #21 Best Communications Colleges in Ohio
- #22 Best MBA Programs in Ohio
Can I Get In?
How selective Ohio University-Main Campus is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ohio University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Athens, Ohio, Ohio University-Main Campus admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,212. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1212
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1090–1290
- ACT Range
- 22–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 75%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,814
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.33
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 24,978
- Admitted
- 21,610
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ohio University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Ohio University-Main Campus is $24,838, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,637. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,673 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,056 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,158
- Out-of-State
- $24,838
- Avg Net Price
- $21,637
- Median Debt
- $21,056
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 48%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,673
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,160
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,078
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,492
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Ohio University-Main Campus — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Ohio University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ohio University-Main Campus earn a median of $52,581, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,991
- 8 Years
- $52,244
- 10 Years
- $52,581
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,101)
- 48%
- 100% (2,101)
- 48%
- 100% (2,101)
- 48%
- 100% (2,101)
- 48%
How Ohio Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Ohio University-Main Campus Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Ohio University-Main Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,637/year ($86,548 total). Graduates earn $52,581 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,136,592 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,050,044 (13.1× your investment). The median debt is $21,056, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 66% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $86,548
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,136,592
- Net Return
- $1,050,044
- ROI Multiple
- 13.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,637
- Median Debt
- $21,056
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-67,185,526
Top Programs
The fields Ohio University-Main Campus awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 25% $74,218 early-career
- Business & Marketing 17% $68,508 early-career
- Communications 9% $42,588 early-career
- Psychology 6% $30,761 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $33,982 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $41,658 early-career
- Engineering 4% $81,057 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $44,210 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Ohio University-Main Campus's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ohio University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Athens, Ohio, Ohio University-Main Campus admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,212. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ohio University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Ohio University-Main Campus is $24,838, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,637. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,673 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,056 in federal student loans.
Is Ohio University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ohio University-Main Campus earn a median of $52,581, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Ohio University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Ohio University-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Ohio University-Main Campus.
- Boise State UniversityBoise, ID · Close peer61% grad $51,658 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI · Close peer68% grad $56,118 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS · Close peer65% grad $51,513 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · Close peer74% grad $51,836 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Kent State University at KentKent, OH · Close peer65% grad $45,388 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Ohio University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Ohio University-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note