Economicsat University of Southern California
Graduates earn $57,060/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $878K; scenarios range from $729K to $922K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Southern California
Your decision to pursue Economics at USC places you within a highly competitive talent pool in a major global city. The program's standing and location in Los Angeles mean graduates are actively recruited across diverse sectors – from finance and consulting firms to tech startups, entertainment companies, and government agencies seeking strong analytical minds. Your quantitative and critical thinking skills are highly valued, explaining why many alumni transition into management, data science, or specialized analyst roles, leveraging the robust USC alumni network for opportunities.
While the "Very High" AI risk may seem daunting, it underscores the evolving nature of analytical work. Your core economic foundation provides crucial context; to thrive, strategically combine this with advanced data science tools or specialized industry knowledge through internships. This proactive approach will future-proof your career, ensuring you're not just understanding economic trends but shaping strategy and policy.
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 Southern California'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 Southern California stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Southern California
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Southern California, 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 Southern California
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Southern California?
This program scores 64/100 — 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 $729,451 in decade earnings vs $922,248 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Southern California a hidden gem for Economics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.