Economics at California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,679/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #241 of 351 Economics programs

Program Analysis

Studying Economics at CSUSB places you squarely within the unique labor market of the Inland Empire. Unlike coastal hubs, this region's economy leans heavily on logistics, public administration, and local businesses rather than high-finance or tech, which often drive higher salaries for economics graduates elsewhere. Your opportunities might initially stem from roles in local government, regional planning, or market analysis for area companies, where salary benchmarks differ from national averages. The program itself, as a regional public university, likely focuses on broad economic principles, meaning you'll need to proactively build specialized quantitative or analytical skills if you aim for higher-paying data science or financial roles. To truly maximize your return, actively pursue internships that involve advanced data analysis or financial modeling, even if it means looking beyond the immediate San Bernardino area.

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 $648K $632K $561K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.1x 20.6x 18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.1x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,700
Out-of-state: $78,220 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$23,672
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,000
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,448
68% growth from Year 1

About California State University-San Bernardino

California State University-San Bernardino has a 98% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 15,771 in San Bernardino, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 57% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Bernardino →

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 University-San Bernardino

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at California State University-San Bernardino?
This program scores 61/100 — 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 $561,078 in decade earnings vs $647,647 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from California State University-San Bernardino?
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 →