Business/Commerce, General at Berea College

Berea, KY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
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/Commerce, General 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/Commerce, General 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/Commerce, General'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/Commerce, General 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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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/Commerce, General at Berea College?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Business/Commerce, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Business/Commerce, General 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/Commerce, General?
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 →