Home Schools Missouri State University-Springfield Economics
Social Sciences · Economics Rank #67 of 351

Economicsat Missouri State University-Springfield

Graduates earn $44,898/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $797K; scenarios range from $674K to $832K depending on AI disruption.

Springfield, MO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
73 STRONG
74
Optimistic
71
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,898
1-year post-graduation
ROI
22.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$797K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State University-Springfield's Economics graduates start at $44,898/yr, trailing the $53,966 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.1x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,793 in median debt clears quickly against $44,898 in annual earnings.

At #67 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $83,960 show a 87% jump from the $44,898 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$674K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple18.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$797K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple22.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$832K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple23.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Missouri State University-Springfield's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Economics graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Economics

How Missouri State University-Springfield stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at Missouri State University-Springfield

Other top programs at Missouri State University-Springfield

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Missouri State University-Springfield, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at Missouri State University-Springfield

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Missouri State University-Springfield?

This program scores 73/100 — 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 $674,004 in decade earnings vs $831,818 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Missouri State University-Springfield's Economics program stand out?

Ranked #67 of 351 programs nationally, Missouri State University-Springfield lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Can you still earn well with Economics from Missouri State University-Springfield?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.