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Economics at Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $44,759/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #194 of 351 Economics programs

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	$647K	$631K	$560K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.8x	12.5x	11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.0x	8.8x	7.8x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	66	65	62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,452

Out-of-state: $71,892 (8.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,260

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,750

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,265

48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $44,759 per year, Economics graduates from Cleveland State University earn below the $53,966 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 12.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $19,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #194 out of 351 programs, Cleveland State University's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,759 to $66,265 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Cleveland State University

With 95% of applicants admitted, Cleveland State University prioritizes broad access, serving 9,077 students in Cleveland, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Cleveland State University →

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 Cleveland State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Cleveland State University's Economics program score?

A score of 65/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Cleveland State University trails the majority of Economics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

How vulnerable is Economics to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Economics earnings lower at Cleveland State University?

Lower starting pay at Cleveland State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →