Subject-Area Teaching at Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,444/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk
High (43% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (444,600 openings/yr)
ROI
26.9x earnings multiple (14.3x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Subject-Area Teaching graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $488K | $488K | $469K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 26.9x | 26.9x | 25.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 14.3x | 14.3x | 13.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 78% | 70% | 55% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 66 | 65 | 70 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$18,128
Out-of-state: $34,128 (14.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,927
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,600
15% growth from Year 1
About Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 9,867 students in Cullowhee, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Carolina University →Top Career Paths
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Compare & Explore
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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 Subject-Area Teaching at Western Carolina University?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Subject-Area Teaching field.
Will AI replace Subject-Area Teaching careers?
With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $469,108 in decade earnings vs $488,039 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Western Carolina University's Subject-Area Teaching program stand out?
Ranked #60 of 348 programs nationally, Western Carolina University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →