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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #298 of 351

Economicsat University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Graduates earn $30,432/yr in their first year — about 44.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $831K; scenarios range from $697K to $869K depending on AI disruption.

Las Vegas, NV Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
62
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,432
1-year post-graduation
ROI
19.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$831K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

The earnings data for UNLV Economics reflects the unique regional labor market. While an economics degree offers powerful analytical skills, Las Vegas's economy, heavily rooted in hospitality and gaming, shapes where graduates primarily find opportunities. You're likely to see roles in market research for resorts, operational analysis for gaming companies, or local government planning, rather than the high-finance or tech sectors prevalent elsewhere. These local industry roles, while valuable, often have different salary structures than traditional economics careers in other major cities. To thrive and mitigate AI risk, you should proactively build strong quantitative skills, perhaps through data science electives, and aggressively pursue internships within the local business intelligence or analytics departments of major employers to tailor your profile to this dynamic environment.

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
$697K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple19.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$831K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple22.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$869K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple23.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, 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 Nevada-Las Vegas

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Nevada-Las Vegas?

This program scores 56/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $697,065 in decade earnings vs $869,427 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Economics from University of Nevada-Las Vegas?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.