Economicsat University of Kentucky
Graduates earn $41,713/yr in their first year — about 23.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $612K; scenarios range from $547K to $625K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Kentucky
Starting salaries of $41,713/yr fall 23% below the $53,966 national median for Economics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,713 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #258 of 351 Economics programs, University of Kentucky falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $62,955 show a 51% jump from the $41,713 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Kentucky's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Economics
How University of Kentucky stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Kentucky
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Kentucky, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Economics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Economics at University of Kentucky
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Kentucky?
This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Economics careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $547,421 in decade earnings vs $625,378 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from University of Kentucky?
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.