Economicsat Grand Valley State University
Graduates earn $53,985/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $587K; scenarios range from $530K to $597K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Grand Valley State University
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.
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 Grand Valley State 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 Grand Valley State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Grand Valley State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Grand Valley State 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 Grand Valley State University
What does a 66/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Grand Valley State University?
At 66/100, 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 Grand Valley State 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.