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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #268 of 351

Economicsat Gonzaga University

Graduates earn $44,845/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $901K; scenarios range from $745K to $947K depending on AI disruption.

Spokane, WA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
60 SOLID
61
Optimistic
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,845
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$901K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Gonzaga University

Starting salaries of $44,845/yr fall 17% below the $53,966 national median for Economics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 4.2x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $22,125 in median debt against $44,845 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #268 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Gonzaga University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $44,845-to-$93,627 earnings arc over five years reflects a 109% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

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
$745K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$901K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple4.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$947K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple4.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Gonzaga 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 Gonzaga 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 Gonzaga University

Other top programs at Gonzaga University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Gonzaga 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 Gonzaga University

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Gonzaga University?

At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Economics is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Gonzaga 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 Gonzaga University a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

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