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Economics at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,857/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #205 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 $528K $524K $488K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.5x 10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.9x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,744
Out-of-state: $108,000 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,664
5% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,462
1% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $53,857/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.5x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #205 of 351 Economics programs, Western Kentucky University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $54,462 are relatively flat compared to the $53,857 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University accepts 97% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky University →

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

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

Other Majors at Western Kentucky University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($74,205) Mechanical Engineering ($70,722) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($68,294) Management Information Systems and Services ($64,252) Construction Engineering Technologies ($63,013) Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($60,675) Civil Engineering ($60,086) Accounting and Related Services ($50,104)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Economics 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Western Kentucky University?
This program scores 64/100 — 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 $487,575 in decade earnings vs $527,771 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →