Economicsat Eastern Washington University
Graduates earn $37,368/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $638K; scenarios range from $565K to $654K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Eastern Washington University
The earnings data for EWU Economics reflects its unique position within the Pacific Northwest. Located in Cheney, near Spokane, your career prospects will be heavily influenced by the regional labor market, which differs significantly from major financial or tech hubs. Spokane's economy emphasizes healthcare, education, local government, and some manufacturing, rather than high-finance or global consulting. This often translates to strong opportunities in public service, regional business analysis, or non-profit work, where starting salaries naturally fall below those in major metropolitan areas, even for similar roles like "Economists" or "Managers." The program likely prepares you well for these local roles, but recruiting pipelines to national firms are less common. To maximize your earning potential, focus intensely on developing quantitative skills like advanced data analysis or econometrics, and actively seek internships with larger firms in Seattle or beyond to expand your network.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Eastern Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Economics
How Eastern Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Eastern Washington University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Eastern Washington 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 →Frequently asked about Economics at Eastern Washington University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Eastern Washington University?
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 $564,973 in decade earnings vs $654,000 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from Eastern Washington University?
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.