Economics at Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,490/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 15.7x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #45 of 351 Economics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $710K $688K $599K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.2x 15.7x 13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.2x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,768
Out-of-state: $111,264 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,532
-63% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,625
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,615
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Kansas State University's Economics program produces graduates earning $52,490/yr — within striking distance of the $53,966 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,625 in median debt clears quickly against $52,490 in annual earnings.

At #45 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $52,490 to $75,615 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Kansas State University

A 79% acceptance rate means Kansas State University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 14,835 students in Manhattan, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kansas State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Kansas State University?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Economics nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Economics careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $599,148 in decade earnings vs $709,737 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Kansas State University's Economics program stand out?
Ranked #45 of 351 programs nationally, Kansas State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →