Economicsat University of California-Santa Cruz
Graduates earn $50,518/yr in their first year — about 6.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $813K; scenarios range from $685K to $850K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Santa Cruz
Graduates earn $50,518/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 14.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 19% 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 $50,518 far exceeding the $18,017 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
University of California-Santa Cruz ranks #57 among 351 Economics programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $50,518-to-$88,583 earnings arc over five years reflects a 75% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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 Santa Cruz'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 Santa Cruz stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Santa Cruz
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz
What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at University of California-Santa Cruz?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at University of California-Santa Cruz?
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.
Is University of California-Santa Cruz one of the best schools for Economics?
Among 351 Economics programs, University of California-Santa Cruz's #57 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.