Economicsat University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Graduates earn $52,309/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $831K; scenarios range from $697K to $869K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
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.
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 Massachusetts-Amherst'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 Massachusetts-Amherst stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 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 Massachusetts-Amherst
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.