Business Economics at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Managerial Economics
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,025/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (105,700 openings/yr)
ROI
13.4x 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 | $755K | $722K | $633K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.0x | 13.4x | 11.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.9x | 5.6x | 4.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 66% | 58% | 42% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 61 | 60 | 59 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (5.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,847
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,592
74% growth from Year 1
About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's 46% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 28,763 students enrolled in Knoxville, TN.
See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
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 does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Economics at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business Economics is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Economics at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
The 53% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville a good choice for Business Economics despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →