Business/Managerial Economics at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,546/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (105,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.3x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 of 81 Business/Managerial Economics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business/Managerial Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $859K $813K $699K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.1x 13.3x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.4x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 58% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 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)
$60,988
Out-of-state: $184,096 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,152
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,917
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,429
68% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $54,546 track close to the $53,330 national median for Business/Managerial Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business/Managerial Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Business/Managerial Economics's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

At $12,917 in median debt against $54,546 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #15 of 81 nationally, this is a top-5% Business/Managerial Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $91,429 show a 68% jump from the $54,546 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Davis

With a 42% acceptance rate, University of California-Davis is moderately selective, with 31,777 students enrolled in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

Top Career Paths

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business/Managerial Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Davis

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business/Managerial Economics at University of California-Davis?
A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Business/Managerial Economics field.
Will AI replace Business/Managerial Economics careers?
With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $698,866 in decade earnings vs $859,402 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Davis's Business/Managerial Economics program stand out?
Ranked #15 of 81 programs nationally, University of California-Davis lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →