Health Sciences at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,045/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #28 of 156 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $542K $540K $500K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.8x 11.8x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 5.0x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,744
Out-of-state: $108,000 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,664
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,237
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,045/yr, edging above the $36,567 national average for Health Sciences — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Health Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Health Sciences's typical career paths, with 43% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,500 in median debt against $42,045 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #28 of 156 nationally, this is a top-5% Health Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $42,045 to $55,237 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University has a 97% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky University →

Top Career Paths

Health education specialists $63,000/yr
Community health workers $51,030/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Health Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Kentucky University

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 Health Sciences at Western Kentucky University?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Health Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Health Sciences careers?
With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $499,695 in decade earnings vs $541,845 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Western Kentucky University's Health Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #28 of 156 programs nationally, Western Kentucky 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 →