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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #343 of 351

Economicsat Seattle Pacific University

Graduates earn $41,502/yr in their first year — about 23.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $483K; scenarios range from $459K to $481K depending on AI disruption.

Seattle, WA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
45 AVERAGE
46
Optimistic
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,502
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$483K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Seattle Pacific University

First-year earnings of $41,502 place Seattle Pacific University below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 3.1x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,989 debt-to-$41,502 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #343 out of 351 programs, Seattle Pacific University's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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
$459K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple3.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$483K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$481K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Seattle Pacific University'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 Seattle Pacific University 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 Seattle Pacific University

Other top programs at Seattle Pacific University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Seattle Pacific 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at Seattle Pacific University

How does Seattle Pacific University's Economics program score?

This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Economics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 Seattle Pacific University?

Lower starting pay at Seattle Pacific University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.