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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #38 of 351

Economicsat University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Graduates earn $46,404/yr in their first year — about 14.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $810K; scenarios range from $683K to $846K depending on AI disruption.

Whitewater, WI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
75 STRONG
76
Optimistic
72
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,404
1-year post-graduation
ROI
25.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$810K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

First-year earnings of $46,404 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 24.5x 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 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $17,750 in median debt against $46,404 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #38 out of 351 programs, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Economics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $46,404 to $86,030 over five years (85% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

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
$683K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple20.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$810K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple24.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$846K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple25.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

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

How does University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Economics program score?

A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater'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 Wisconsin-Whitewater rank so high for Economics?

The #38 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.