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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #42 of 351

Economicsat University of Georgia

Graduates earn $49,725/yr in their first year — about 8.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $737K; scenarios range from $633K to $765K depending on AI disruption.

Athens, GA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
74 STRONG
75
Optimistic
70
Pessimistic
Earnings
$49,725
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$737K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Georgia

Graduates earn $49,725/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 16.5x 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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $49,725 far exceeding the $15,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #42 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $80,203 show a 61% jump from the $49,725 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

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
$633K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple14.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$737K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple16.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$765K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple17.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Georgia

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Georgia, 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 Georgia

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Georgia?

This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Economics nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

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 $633,227 in decade earnings vs $765,316 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Georgia's Economics program stand out?

Ranked #42 of 351 programs nationally, University of Georgia lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.