Education at Berea College

Berea, KY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Education, General
11 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
12
Optimistic
11
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,709/yr (-45% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Small (5,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #66 of 66 Education, General programs

Program Analysis

A General Education degree from Berea College, while foundational, typically prepares you for roles within local K-12 school systems or similar educational support positions. These regional labor markets, particularly outside major urban centers, often present a lower starting compensation landscape for educators compared to national averages. While some graduates pursue postsecondary teaching, many begin in early-career K-12 roles, where salary growth can be modest, especially if you remain in the immediate area. The "General" nature of the degree might also mean less specialization that could command higher salaries in competitive fields. Given the evolving landscape of education and the potential for technological shifts, consider specializing early through certifications or a master's degree, or actively exploring opportunities in more robust job markets to maximize your long-term career trajectory.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $456K $460K $445K
Earnings Multiple 2.3x 2.3x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 71% 63% 47%
DegreeOutlook Score 12 11 15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$197,304
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$17,932
91% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,004
75% growth from Year 1

About Berea College

A 33% acceptance rate puts Berea College in competitive admissions territory, a smaller institution with 1,472 students in Berea, KY. Pell Grant recipients make up 81% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $17,932 over four years represents a 91% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Berea College →

Top Career Paths

Education teachers, postsecondary $72,090/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at Berea College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Education at Berea College?
A score of 11/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Education. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Education careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $444,709 in decade earnings vs $456,036 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Education from Berea College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is Berea College a hidden gem for Education?
After financial aid, the average student pays $17,932 over four years — 91% below the $197,304 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →