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Economics at Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $56,731/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 11.4x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #240 of 351 Economics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$598K	$587K	$530K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.6x	11.4x	10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.7x	6.6x	5.9x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	63	62	57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$51,384

Out-of-state: $89,264 (6.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$78,456

-53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,812

5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $56,731 per year, Economics graduates from Kent State University at Kent earn slightly above the $53,966 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $23,812 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #240 of 351 Economics programs, Kent State University at Kent falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Kent State University at Kent

With 87% of applicants admitted, Kent State University at Kent prioritizes broad access, serving 19,134 students in Kent, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Kent State University at Kent →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr

Economists $115,440/yr

View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kent State University at Kent

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 Economics at Kent State University at Kent?

This program scores 62/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Economics careers?

With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $530,387 in decade earnings vs $597,597 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →