Economicsat University of Illinois Chicago
Graduates earn $37,767/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $759K; scenarios range from $648K to $789K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Illinois Chicago
The financial outlook for UIC Economics might initially seem surprising, but it reflects how graduates often integrate into the dynamic Chicago labor market. Many students, often local, pursue diverse career paths within the region, frequently finding roles in local government, non-profits, or broader business analytics, where initial salaries can be more modest than in high-finance or specialized tech. While the program offers a solid theoretical foundation, it may require you to proactively build the highly specialized quantitative and programming skills often demanded by the highest-paying data science or pure economics roles. Consequently, many graduates build experience in broader analytical or managerial positions before seeing substantial salary growth. To maximize your earning potential, actively seek out internships early in highly quantitative roles and consider a minor or strong coursework in data science, finance, or business analytics to complement your economics degree.
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 Illinois Chicago'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 Illinois Chicago stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Illinois Chicago
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Illinois Chicago, 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 Illinois Chicago
How does University of Illinois Chicago's Economics program score?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of Illinois Chicago trails the majority of Economics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Economics earnings lower at University of Illinois Chicago?
Lower starting pay at University of Illinois Chicago may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.