Business/Managerial Economics at Ball State University

Muncie, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
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)
Ranked #24 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/Managerial 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)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,592
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,821
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,574
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $53,319 track close to the $53,330 national median for Business/Managerial Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business/Managerial Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Business/Managerial Economics's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,821 represents roughly 6 months of the $53,319 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #24 of 81 Business/Managerial Economics programs, Ball State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $53,319 to $70,574 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

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

Compare & Explore

Business/Managerial 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/Managerial 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/Managerial Economics field.
Will AI replace Business/Managerial 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 →