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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #206 of 351

Economicsat University of Central Missouri

Graduates earn $41,076/yr in their first year — about 24.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $633K; scenarios range from $562K to $649K depending on AI disruption.

Warrensburg, MO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
64 SOLID
65
Optimistic
64
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,076
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$633K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Central Missouri

First-year earnings of $41,076 place University of Central Missouri below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 16.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,000 against $41,076/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #206 ranking among 351 Economics programs places University of Central Missouri in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $41,076-to-$65,080 earnings arc over five years reflects a 58% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

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
$562K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple14.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$633K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple16.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$649K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple16.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Central Missouri'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 Missouri 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 Missouri

Other top programs at University of Central Missouri

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Central Missouri, 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 Missouri

What does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at University of Central Missouri?

At 64/100, the score looks reasonable — but Economics is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at University of Central Missouri?

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 Central Missouri a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Central Missouri's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.