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Business Economicsat The University of Alabama

Graduates earn $55,550/yr in their first year — about 4.0% above the national Business Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $923K; scenarios range from $779K to $986K depending on AI disruption.

Tuscaloosa, AL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
69
Pessimistic
Earnings
$55,550
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$923K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
57% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Alabama

Your strong showing for Business/Managerial Economics at Alabama isn't just about raw numbers; it reflects a program adept at connecting a robust analytical curriculum with real-world demand. As a flagship public institution, UA leverages its expansive alumni network and Manderson College of Business's reputation to funnel graduates into key regional industries. You'll find strong pipelines to roles in financial analysis, market research, and management consulting across the Southeast, from Birmingham's finance hubs to Atlanta's diverse corporate landscape, and even local manufacturing. This applied economics foundation, emphasizing data interpretation and strategic thinking, explains your strong career trajectory. Given the 'very high' AI risk in many analytical fields, your critical thinking will be paramount; actively seek internships that blend quantitative analysis with strategic problem-solving to future-proof your skills.

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
$779K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple16.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$923K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple19.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$986K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple20.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Business 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
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
2
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
3
Financial risk specialists
+6.5% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$106,000/yr
High
4
Management analysts
+8.8% 10-yr growth · 98,100 openings/yr
$101,190/yr
Moderate
5
Survey researchers
-5.2% 10-yr growth · 700 openings/yr
$63,380/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 Business Economics

How University of Alabama stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Washington University in St Louis
MO · Private nonprofit
55
DW Score
$107K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
University of California-Los Angeles
CA · Public
77
DW Score
$84K
1-yr earn
20.5x
ROI
Villanova University
PA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$82K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Lehigh University
PA · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$82K
1-yr earn
3.4x
ROI
Top score
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
78
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
51.1x
ROI
Also at University of Alabama

Other top programs at University of Alabama

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Alabama, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Business Economics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Business Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Business Economics at University of Alabama

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Economics at The University of Alabama?

This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Economics nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Business Economics careers?

With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $778,954 in decade earnings vs $985,882 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes The University of Alabama's Business Economics program stand out?

Ranked #4 of 81 programs nationally, The University of Alabama lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.