Economicsat Indiana University-Bloomington
Graduates earn $59,142/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $761K; scenarios range from $650K to $792K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Indiana University
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.
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 Indiana 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 Indiana University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Indiana University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Indiana 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 Indiana University
What does a 78/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Indiana University-Bloomington?
At 78/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Indiana University-Bloomington?
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 Indiana University-Bloomington one of the best schools for Economics?
Among 351 Economics programs, Indiana University-Bloomington's #14 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.