Business Economics at University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Managerial Economics
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,496/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (105,700 openings/yr)
ROI
11.0x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business Economics graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $643K | $624K | $562K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.3x | 11.0x | 9.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.6x | 3.5x | 3.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 66% | 58% | 42% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 50 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,680
Out-of-state: $179,788 (3.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,909
68% growth from Year 1
About University of California-Riverside
University of California-Riverside accepts 63% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 22,644 students enrolled in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Riverside →Top Career Paths
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Economists
$115,440/yr
Financial risk specialists
$106,000/yr
Compare & Explore
Business Economics at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of California-Riverside
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Economics at University of California-Riverside?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Business Economics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Business Economics careers?
With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $561,791 in decade earnings vs $642,913 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Business Economics from University of California-Riverside?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →