Economicsat The University of Texas at Austin
Graduates earn $58,717/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $858K; scenarios range from $716K to $900K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UT Austin
Studying Economics at UT Austin places you in a uniquely advantageous position, leveraging the university's strong academic reputation and Austin's dynamic job market. Austin's "Silicon Hills" environment, coupled with its status as a state capital and growing financial hub, creates diverse opportunities for economically-minded graduates. This means your economics degree isn't just for traditional roles; you'll find strong demand in data analytics, tech product management, financial services, and consulting, with major employers like Dell, Indeed, or state agencies actively recruiting on campus. The program's rigor ensures you're well-equipped for these analytical demands. The "Very High" AI risk for economics reflects the changing nature of analytical work; AI will augment, not eliminate, much of the quantitative work. Your advantage will come from strategic thinking, complex problem-solving, and communication skills that AI cannot replicate. Prioritize developing strong computational skills, perhaps through a data science minor, and seek internships applying economic principles to real-world business challenges.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UT Austin's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Economics
How UT Austin stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UT Austin
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UT Austin, 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 →Frequently asked about Economics at UT Austin
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at The University of Texas at Austin?
This program scores 80/100 — 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 $715,857 in decade earnings vs $900,081 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes The University of Texas at Austin's Economics program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 351 programs nationally, The University of Texas at Austin lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.