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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #350 of 351

Economicsat Eastern Michigan University

Graduates earn $30,569/yr in their first year — about 43.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $408K; scenarios range from $408K to $398K depending on AI disruption.

Ypsilanti, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
36 AT RISK
37
Optimistic
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,569
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$408K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Eastern Michigan University

While an economics degree generally equips you with versatile analytical skills, the outcomes here suggest a significant challenge in translating that into strong early career success. For Eastern Michigan University, the local Ypsilanti/Detroit labor market, while diverse, may not have robust, direct pipelines specifically for its economics graduates into high-paying corporate or analytical roles. Many entry-level positions requiring general analytical abilities are increasingly competitive and, as the AI risk indicates, susceptible to automation. This means the program might not be consistently equipping students with the highly specialized quantitative or technical skills (like advanced statistical modeling or specific data tools) that employers increasingly seek for roles in finance, data analysis, or economic consulting. If you're considering this path, you'll need to proactively build a distinct skill set through internships, certifications, and project work, targeting in-demand areas to differentiate yourself in a crowded market.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$408K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple6.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$408K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple6.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$398K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple6.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Eastern Michigan University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Economics graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Economics

How Eastern Michigan University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at Eastern Michigan University

Other top programs at Eastern Michigan University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Eastern Michigan University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Economics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at Eastern Michigan University

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Eastern Michigan University?

At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Economics programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Eastern Michigan University?

The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Eastern Michigan University a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Eastern Michigan University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.