Economicsat Indiana University-Indianapolis
Graduates earn $45,443/yr in their first year — about 16.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $665K; scenarios range from $584K to $684K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis's Economics graduates start at $45,443/yr, trailing the $53,966 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
With a 15.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,250 in median debt clears quickly against $45,443 in annual earnings.
A #125 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Indiana University-Indianapolis in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The $45,443-to-$70,396 earnings arc over five years reflects a 55% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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-Indianapolis'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-Indianapolis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Indiana University-Indianapolis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Indiana University-Indianapolis, 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-Indianapolis
What does a 69/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Indiana University-Indianapolis?
At 69/100, Indiana University-Indianapolis's Economics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Indiana University-Indianapolis?
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-Indianapolis a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Indiana University-Indianapolis's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.