Economics graduates earn $82,686 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 33.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Economics is a focused area of study within Social Sciences. Graduates typically earn around $82,686 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 928 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 46,225 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$51,815
Median Earnings · 4yr
$82,686
Colleges Offering
928
Graduates / Year
46,225
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,350
How Much Do Economics Graduates Earn?
Economics graduates earn $82,686 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,184 and $116,323. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $51,815 climbs to $82,686 by year four.
$51,815
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$82,686
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$79,468
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Economics graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$58,18425th pct.
$82,686Median
$116,32375th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $82,686 against an estimated $81,400 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 808 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 46,225 students who complete Economics programs each year, the majority (78%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
78%
Bachelor's78%
Master's12%
Associate's7%
What Can You Do With an Economics Degree?
Economics connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Economist leads at $124,720/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.
Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
MathematicsMathematicsComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.
Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text.
Collect and analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits to identify potential markets and factors affecting product demand.
Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.
Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.
Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
Top Colleges for Economics
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Economics students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Economics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Economics a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $82,686 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $51,815 at graduation to $82,686 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +33.5% over the next decade, with Data Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 186,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Economics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Economics graduates earn?
Economics graduates earn a national median of $82,686 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,184 and $116,323. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Economics degree?
One year after graduation, Economics degree holders earn a median of $51,815. That climbs to $82,686 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Economics degree?
Economics degree holders pursue careers including Economist, which pays a median of $124,720/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Economics program take?
A Economics bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Economics?
928 colleges and universities in the United States offer Economics programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Economics degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $82,686 and an average net price of roughly $20,350/yr, a Economics degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Economics and Social Sciences?
Economics is a focused concentration within the broader Social Sciences field. The Social Sciences major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Economics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Economics graduates?
Employers hiring Economics graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Economics graduates?
With a median salary of $82,686, graduate study in Economics can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Economics graduates?
The job outlook for Economics graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +6.2% job growth over the next 10 years. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +33.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Other programs in Social Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
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Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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