Management Scienceat Western Kentucky University
Graduates earn $49,823/yr in their first year — about 21.0% below the national Management Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $544K; scenarios range from $502K to $548K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Kentucky University
At $49,823 per year, Management Science graduates from Western Kentucky University earn below the $62,729 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Management Science programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Management Science's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $21,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #86 of 118 Management Science programs, Western Kentucky University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
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 Management Science
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 Management Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Management Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Management Science at Western Kentucky University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Management Science at Western Kentucky University?
This program scores 64/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Management Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Management Science careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $501,723 in decade earnings vs $548,347 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Management Science from Western Kentucky University?
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.