Business Economics at Ball State University
Muncie, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Managerial Economics
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
67
Optimistic
65
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings
$53,319/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (105,700 openings/yr)
ROI
14.9x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
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 | $661K | $640K | $573K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 15.4x | 14.9x | 13.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.7x | 5.6x | 5.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 66% | 58% | 42% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 67 | 65 | 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)
$43,032
Out-of-state: $115,064 (5.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,821
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,574
32% growth from Year 1
About Ball State University
Ball State University has a 72% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 13,770 students in Muncie, IN.
See all programs and financial aid at Ball State University →Top Career Paths
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Economists
$115,440/yr
Financial risk specialists
$106,000/yr
Compare & Explore
Business Economics at Other Schools
Other Majors at Ball State 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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Economics at Ball State University?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Business Economics field.
Will AI replace Business Economics careers?
With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $573,335 in decade earnings vs $661,148 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →