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Hospitality Administration/Management at Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
51
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,395/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (310,600 openings/yr)
ROI 27.9x earnings multiple (14.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #49 of 135 Hospitality Administration/Management programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Hospitality Administration/Management graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $506K $505K $469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 27.9x 27.9x 25.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 14.8x 14.8x 13.8x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 38% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 51 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$18,128
Out-of-state: $34,128 (14.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,316
-178% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,657
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,877
59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Carolina University's Hospitality Administration/Management graduates start at $29,395/yr, trailing the $35,217 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 27.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,657 debt-to-$29,395 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #49 out of 135 programs, Western Carolina University's Hospitality Administration/Management offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $29,395 to $46,877 over five years (59% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Western Carolina University

A 87% acceptance rate means Western Carolina University is accessible to most applicants, serving 9,867 students in Cullowhee, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Carolina University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Facilities managers $104,690/yr
Business teachers, postsecondary $97,270/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 135 schools offering Hospitality Administration/Management →

Hospitality Administration/Management at Other Schools

Cornell University ($77,803) George Washington University ($53,625) University of Denver ($47,679) James Madison University ($46,915) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($45,771) George Mason University ($45,151) Boston University ($44,657) Campbell University ($44,464)

Other Majors at Western Carolina University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($69,067) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($68,774) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($67,003) Construction Engineering Technologies ($63,401) Engineering, General ($62,244) Engineering Technology, General ($59,813) Public Administration ($56,445) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($53,398)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Hospitality Administration/Management trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Western Carolina University's Hospitality Administration/Management program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Hospitality Administration/Management graduates.
How vulnerable is Hospitality Administration/Management to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Hospitality Administration/Management careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Hospitality Administration/Management earnings lower at Western Carolina University?
Lower starting pay at Western Carolina University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →