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Business Economics at Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Managerial Economics

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $44,146/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (105,700 openings/yr)

ROI 20.0x earnings multiple (11.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #29 of 81 Business/Managerial Economics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$707K	$680K	$603K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.8x	20.0x	17.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	12.2x	11.7x	10.4x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	58%	42%
DegreeOutlook Score	64	63	62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$34,032

Out-of-state: $58,008 (11.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$48,684

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$72,112

63% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $44,146 per year, Business Economics graduates from Arkansas Tech University earn below the $53,330 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 20.0x 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 — 53% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Ranked #29 out of 81 programs, Arkansas Tech University's Business Economics offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $44,146 to $72,112 over five years (63% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Arkansas Tech University

With 96% of applicants admitted, Arkansas Tech University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 5,993 students in Russellville, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at Arkansas Tech University →

Top Career Paths

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr

Economists $115,440/yr

Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Arkansas Tech 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 Arkansas Tech University's Business Economics program score?

This program scores 63/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Business Economics graduates.

How vulnerable is Business Economics to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Business Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Business Economics earnings lower at Arkansas Tech University?

Lower starting pay at Arkansas Tech 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 →