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Economics at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,149/yr (-31% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #294 of 351 Economics programs

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	$688K	$668K	$586K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.1x	11.8x	10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.7x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	56	56	58

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 (3.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$54,828

3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,666

5.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,935

80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $37,149/yr fall 31% below the $53,966 national median for Economics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

At $17,666 in median debt against $37,149 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #294 of 351 Economics programs, University of California-Riverside falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $66,935 show a 80% jump from the $37,149 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Riverside

With a 63% acceptance rate, University of California-Riverside is moderately selective, 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

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

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 Economics at University of California-Riverside?

This program scores 56/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $585,959 in decade earnings vs $688,226 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with 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 →