Economics at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,309/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #65 of 351 Economics programs Top 25%

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 $869K $831K $697K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.0x 10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.3x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$69,428
Out-of-state: $157,172 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,764
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,255
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Economics program produces graduates earning $52,309/yr — within striking distance of the $53,966 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.0x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,250 in median debt clears quickly against $52,309 in annual earnings.

At #65 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $91,255 show a 74% jump from the $52,309 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Massachusetts-Amherst

University of Massachusetts-Amherst's 58% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 23,694 students enrolled in Amherst, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Amherst →

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

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

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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 Massachusetts-Amherst?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $696,777 in decade earnings vs $868,964 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Massachusetts-Amherst's Economics program stand out?
Ranked #65 of 351 programs nationally, University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →