Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $45,075/yr fall 16% below the $53,966 national median for Economics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.
At $20,277 in median debt against $45,075 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Ranked #226 of 351 Economics programs, Clemson University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $67,777 show a 50% jump from the $45,075 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.