Economicsat University of California-Berkeley
Graduates earn $80,446/yr in their first year — about 49.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,033K; scenarios range from $835K to $1,095K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley
Your decision to study economics at Berkeley places you in an exceptionally strong position, largely due to the program's rigorous analytical foundation and its unparalleled location. The department's global reputation and deep ties to the Bay Area's tech and finance ecosystems create robust recruiting pipelines. You'll find peers and alumni moving into competitive roles at major tech companies, top consulting firms, and leading financial institutions, driven by demand for sophisticated data analysis and strategic problem-solving skills developed here.
While the broader field of economics is experiencing significant shifts with AI, particularly in routine data tasks, this program emphasizes the critical thinking, advanced modeling, and nuanced interpretation that remain distinctly human. To truly excel, focus on internships that hone your quantitative abilities and communication skills, actively seeking opportunities to apply economic theory to real-world business or policy challenges throughout your studies.
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 UC Berkeley'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 UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Berkeley
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, 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 UC Berkeley
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of California-Berkeley?
This program scores 84/100 — 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 $835,143 in decade earnings vs $1,094,622 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Berkeley's Economics program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 351 programs nationally, University of California-Berkeley lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.