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Hospitality Administration/Management at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,492/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (310,600 openings/yr)

ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #106 of 135 Hospitality Administration/Management programs

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	$489K	$490K	$458K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.7x	10.7x	10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.5x	4.5x	4.2x
Probability of Field Employment	42%	38%	28%
DegreeOutlook Score	41	40	34

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 (4.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$43,664

5% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,527

9.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,211

50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Kentucky University's Hospitality Administration/Management graduates start at $29,492/yr, trailing the $35,217 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10.7x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,527 debt-to-$29,492 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #106 out of 135 programs, Western Kentucky University's financial outcomes for Hospitality Administration/Management trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $29,492 to $44,211 shows 50% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Western Kentucky University

A 97% acceptance rate means Western Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 12,267 in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky 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

Hospitality Administration/Management at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Kentucky University

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

How does Western Kentucky University's Hospitality Administration/Management program score?

This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Hospitality Administration/Management. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 Kentucky University?

Lower starting pay at Western Kentucky 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 →