Economics at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,606/yr (42% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #58 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 $1,143K $1,076K $865K
Earnings Multiple 4.8x 4.5x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$236,964
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$203,836
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$128,642
68% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $76,606 per year, Economics graduates from Santa Clara University significantly outpace the $53,966 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 4.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #58 out of 351 programs, Santa Clara University's Economics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $76,606 to $128,642 over five years (68% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University accepts 44% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 6,235 students in Santa Clara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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

How does Santa Clara University's Economics program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University rank so high for Economics?
The #58 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →