Program Analysis
Graduates earn $53,985/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
A 10.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.
The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $53,985 far exceeding the $24,904 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #181 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Grand Valley State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The limited growth from $53,985 to $63,288 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.