Business at Berea College

Berea, KY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Commerce, General
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,627/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #221 of 242 Business/Commerce, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $531K $528K $489K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 48 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$197,304
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$17,932
91% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,907
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Berea College's Business program produces graduates earning $44,627/yr — within striking distance of the $48,211 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Business's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #221 of 242 Business programs, Berea College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $44,627 to $54,907 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Berea College

Admission to Berea College is competitive, with 33% of applicants accepted, a smaller institution with 1,472 students in Berea, KY. Pell Grant recipients make up 81% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $17,932 over four years represents a 91% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Berea College →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
View all 16 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business at Berea College?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Business. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Business careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $488,884 in decade earnings vs $530,760 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Berea College a hidden gem for Business?
After financial aid, the average student pays $17,932 over four years — 91% below the $197,304 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →