Economicsat Michigan State University
Graduates earn $54,013/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $732K; scenarios range from $630K to $760K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Michigan State University
First-year earnings of $54,013 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The 11.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
At $22,231 in median debt against $54,013 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Ranked #82 out of 351 programs, Michigan State University's Economics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
Earnings growth from $54,013 to $81,373 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.
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 Michigan 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 Michigan State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Michigan State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Michigan 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 Michigan State University
How does Michigan State University's Economics program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Michigan State University's Economics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Michigan State University rank so high for Economics?
The #82 ranking out of 351 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.