Economics at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
68
Optimistic
67
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,836/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 24.6x earnings multiple (9.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #161 of 351 Economics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $759K $732K $629K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.5x 24.6x 21.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.8x 9.5x 8.1x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 68 67 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,756
Out-of-state: $77,276 (9.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,320
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,724
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,722
88% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,836 place California State Polytechnic University-Pomona below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 24.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $39,836 far exceeding the $8,724 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #161 of 351 Economics programs, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $74,722 show a 88% jump from the $39,836 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona accepts 74% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 24,271 in Pomona, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

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 Economics at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Economics field.
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 $629,497 in decade earnings vs $759,233 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →