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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #312 of 351

Economicsat University of Central Arkansas

Graduates earn $41,919/yr in their first year — about 22.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $485K; scenarios range from $461K to $485K depending on AI disruption.

Conway, AR Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
53 AVERAGE
54
Optimistic
52
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,919
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$485K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Central Arkansas

Starting salaries of $41,919/yr fall 22% 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 12.0x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

At $17,130 in median debt against $41,919 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #312 of 351 Economics programs, University of Central Arkansas falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$461K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple11.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$485K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple12.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$485K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple12.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Central Arkansas's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Economics graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Economics

How University of Central Arkansas stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at University of Central Arkansas

Other top programs at University of Central Arkansas

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Central Arkansas, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at University of Central Arkansas

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Central Arkansas?

This program scores 53/100 — 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 $461,124 in decade earnings vs $484,632 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Economics from University of Central Arkansas?

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.