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Paper Science and Engineering at Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $86,401/yr (0% vs median)

AI Risk High (46% exposed)

Job Market Medium (29,000 openings/yr)

ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (10.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #1 of 1 Paper Science and Engineering programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Paper Science and Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$857K	$824K	$719K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.0x	13.5x	11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	11.2x	10.8x	9.4x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	66%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	60	58	56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$61,192

Out-of-state: $76,392 (10.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,804

-22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,379

3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $86,401 track close to the $86,401 national median for Paper Science and Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Paper Science and Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Paper Science and Engineering's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

At $27,379 in median debt against $86,401 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

This program is one of 1 schools offering Paper Science and Engineering in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

About Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 12,704 in Kalamazoo, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Michigan University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Chemical engineers $121,860/yr

Engineers, all other $117,750/yr

View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Other Majors at Western Michigan University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Paper Science and Engineering at Western Michigan University?

This program scores 58/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Paper Science and Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Paper Science and Engineering careers?

With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $718,901 in decade earnings vs $857,403 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Western Michigan University's Paper Science and Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #1 of 1 programs nationally, Western Michigan University lands in the top 1%. 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 →