Economicsat Western Kentucky University
Graduates earn $53,857/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $524K; scenarios range from $488K to $528K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Kentucky University
Graduates earn $53,857/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.5x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.
Ranked #205 of 351 Economics programs, Western Kentucky University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $54,462 are relatively flat compared to the $53,857 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.
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 Western Kentucky University'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 Western Kentucky University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Kentucky University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Kentucky University, 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 Western Kentucky University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Western Kentucky University?
This program scores 64/100 — 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 $487,575 in decade earnings vs $527,771 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.