Economics at East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,425/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #107 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 $620K $607K $544K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.1x 20.6x 18.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.4x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 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)
$29,444
Out-of-state: $94,552 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,056
-124% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,788
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,033
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,425 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 20.6x 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 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,788 debt-to-$46,425 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #107 out of 351 programs, East Carolina University's Economics offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $46,425 to $64,033 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About East Carolina University

East Carolina University has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 19,857 students in Greenville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at East Carolina 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 East Carolina University

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

How does East Carolina University's Economics program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. East Carolina University's Economics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →