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Economics at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,590/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #239 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 $612K $600K $539K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 11.0x 9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 4.9x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 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)
$54,280
Out-of-state: $122,328 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$92,624
-71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$70,663
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $58,590 at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus come in 9% above the national median of $53,966 for Economics programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.0x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $58,590 far exceeding the $18,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #239 of 351 Economics programs, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus accepts 88% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 29,094 in Cincinnati, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus →

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

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

Other Majors at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Computer Engineering ($83,489) Chemical Engineering ($82,372) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,045) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($75,317) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($74,992) Architectural Engineering ($72,691) Mechanical Engineering ($72,412) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($72,390)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Cincinnati-Main Campus?
This program scores 62/100 — 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 $539,082 in decade earnings vs $611,775 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →