Economicsat University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Graduates earn $46,748/yr in their first year — about 13.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $569K; scenarios range from $518K to $578K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Graduates earn $46,748/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.6x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $46,748 far exceeding the $21,375 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #178 of 351 Economics programs, University of Colorado Colorado Springs falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $46,748 to $59,346 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs'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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Colorado Colorado Springs?
This program scores 66/100 — 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 $518,186 in decade earnings vs $577,696 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.