Economics at University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
67
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,908/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #160 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 $672K $654K $576K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.3x 12.0x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.0x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 67 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,504
Out-of-state: $164,380 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,840
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,489
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,028
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,908/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 12.0x 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 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $47,908 far exceeding the $19,489 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #160 out of 351 programs, University of Arizona's Economics offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $47,908 to $70,028 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Arizona

University of Arizona accepts 86% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 40,769 students enrolled in Tucson, AZ.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arizona →

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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Arizona's Economics program score?
This program scores 67/100, 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →