Home Schools University of Massachusetts-Lowell Economics
Social Sciences · Economics Rank #329 of 351

Economicsat University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Graduates earn $41,910/yr in their first year — about 22.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $485K; scenarios range from $461K to $485K depending on AI disruption.

Lowell, MA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
50 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,910
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$485K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Starting salaries of $41,910/yr fall 22% below the $53,966 national median for Economics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

A 7.3x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $23,250 against $41,910/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #329 ranking among 351 Economics programs places University of Massachusetts-Lowell in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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
$461K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple7.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$485K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple7.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$485K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple7.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 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 Massachusetts-Lowell

What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Economics is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Massachusetts-Lowell a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Massachusetts-Lowell's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.