Economics at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,708/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 14.3x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #140 of 351 Economics programs Top 50%

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 $746K $720K $621K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.8x 14.3x 12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.2x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,376
Out-of-state: $139,776 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,888
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,531
67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $45,708 per year, Economics graduates from Oregon State University-Cascades Campus earn below the $53,966 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 14.3x 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.

The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #140 out of 351 programs, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Economics offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $45,708 to $76,531 over five years (67% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,054 in Bend, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus →

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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Economics program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Economics graduates.
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 are Economics earnings lower at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
Lower starting pay at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →