Home Schools University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Economics
Social Sciences · Economics Rank #158 of 351

Economicsat University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Graduates earn $44,327/yr in their first year — about 18.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $655K; scenarios range from $577K to $674K depending on AI disruption.

Milwaukee, WI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
68 SOLID
69
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,327
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$655K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Starting salaries of $44,327/yr fall 18% below the $53,966 national median for Economics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 16.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,125 against $44,327/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #158 ranking among 351 Economics programs places University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $44,327-to-$68,869 earnings arc over five years reflects a 55% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

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
$577K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple14.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$655K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple16.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$674K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple16.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 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 Wisconsin-Milwaukee

What does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?

At 68/100, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Economics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?

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 Wisconsin-Milwaukee a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

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