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Economics at University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $51,212/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #141 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 $674K $655K $577K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.6x 10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.6x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,668
Out-of-state: $179,776 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,976
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,303
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,331
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $51,212/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 11.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $51,212 far exceeding the $19,303 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #141 ranking among 351 Economics programs places University of California-Merced in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 39% earnings increase from $51,212 to $71,331 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of California-Merced

University of California-Merced accepts 39% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a mid-sized student body of 8,372 in Merced, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 59% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

Other Majors at University of California-Merced

Mechanical Engineering ($67,096) Computer Engineering ($58,835) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($57,223) Chemistry ($50,944) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($47,028) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,378) Applied Mathematics ($39,138) Sociology ($37,092)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 69/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at University of California-Merced?
At 69/100, University of California-Merced's Economics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at University of California-Merced?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →