Economicsat Elon University
Graduates earn $69,298/yr in their first year — about 28.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $807K; scenarios range from $681K to $843K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Elon University
Graduates of Elon University's Economics program earn $69,298/yr in their first year — 28% above the $53,966 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.
An earnings multiple of 4.5x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.
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 19% gap from the optimistic case.
At $19,500 in median debt against $69,298 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #131 of 351 Economics programs, Elon University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $69,298 to $95,431 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Elon 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 Elon University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Elon University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Elon 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 Elon University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Elon University?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Economics field.
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 $681,042 in decade earnings vs $843,297 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.