Subject-Area Teaching at Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,830/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk
High (43% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (444,600 openings/yr)
ROI
9.7x earnings multiple (4.1x 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 | $437K | $442K | $433K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.6x | 9.7x | 9.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.0x | 4.1x | 4.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 78% | 70% | 55% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 46 | 45 | 55 |
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 (4.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,887
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,362
12% growth from Year 1
About Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University has a 97% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky University →Top Career Paths
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Compare & Explore
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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 Subject-Area Teaching at Western Kentucky University?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Subject-Area Teaching. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $433,144 in decade earnings vs $436,902 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →