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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #290 of 351

Economicsat Appalachian State University

Graduates earn $33,742/yr in their first year — about 37.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $681K; scenarios range from $594K to $702K depending on AI disruption.

Boone, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
57 SOLID
58
Optimistic
62
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,742
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$681K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Appalachian State University

An Appalachian State Economics degree provides a strong analytical foundation, but your career trajectory will heavily depend on your proactive engagement. The regional labor market in Western North Carolina, while robust for local opportunities, doesn't feature the same density of high-finance or major corporate headquarters that often drive the national average for economics salaries. Your peers might initially find roles in regional banking, local government, or business management, leveraging their analytical skills broadly.

To access the higher-paying economist or data scientist positions detailed here, you'll need to cultivate specific quantitative skills beyond the core curriculum and actively seek internships in larger metropolitan areas. Consider advanced econometrics or data science electives and prepare to cast a wider net for your first post-graduation role, potentially relocating to a major economic hub or pursuing graduate studies to specialize.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$594K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple19.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$681K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple22.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$702K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple23.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Appalachian State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Economics graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Economics

How Appalachian State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Same state (NC)
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at Appalachian State University

Other top programs at Appalachian State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Appalachian State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Economics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at Appalachian State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Appalachian State University?

This program scores 57/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Economics careers?

With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $594,345 in decade earnings vs $701,907 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Economics from Appalachian State 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.