Program Analysis
Graduates earn $59,142/yr, edging above the $53,966 national average for Economics — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
With a 16.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $19,500 in median debt against $59,142 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Indiana University-Bloomington ranks #14 among 351 Economics programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 46% earnings increase from $59,142 to $86,586 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.