Economics at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $56,902/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.3x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #66 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 $771K $742K $637K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.3x 9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.1x 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)
$65,952
Out-of-state: $145,608 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,556
-4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$83,564
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Economics graduates start at $56,902/yr — above the $53,966 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 11.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,500 in median debt clears quickly against $56,902 in annual earnings.

Ranked #66 out of 351 programs, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Economics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $56,902 to $83,564 shows 47% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

A 77% acceptance rate means University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 30,469 in Minneapolis, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities →

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 Minnesota-Twin Cities

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Economics program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Economics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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 does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities rank so high for Economics?
The #66 ranking out of 351 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →