Economicsat University of North Carolina Asheville
Graduates earn $28,301/yr in their first year — about 48.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $591K; scenarios range from $533K to $602K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina Asheville
Considering UNC Asheville's unique environment, your economics degree here will likely open doors to a distinct set of opportunities compared to programs in major financial hubs. Asheville's regional economy emphasizes tourism, small businesses, outdoor industries, and a thriving non-profit sector, which may not generate the same demand for traditional, high-paying economist roles often found in larger corporate or government centers.
Instead, graduates often find value in local government planning, regional economic development, non-profit analysis, or entrepreneurial ventures where strong analytical and critical thinking skills are highly valued. The program likely fosters a broad liberal arts perspective, preparing you for diverse paths rather than a narrow financial pipeline. If maximizing early career earnings is your priority, you'll need to proactively seek internships outside the immediate Asheville market or plan for graduate school to specialize in fields like data science or advanced economic modeling, ensuring your skills align with higher-paying national opportunities.
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 North Carolina Asheville'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 North Carolina Asheville stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of North Carolina Asheville
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina Asheville, 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 North Carolina Asheville
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of North Carolina Asheville?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Economics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $533,063 in decade earnings vs $601,959 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from University of North Carolina Asheville?
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.