Economicsat Wake Forest University
Graduates earn $56,416/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $992K; scenarios range from $807K to $1,049K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Wake Forest University
First-year earnings of $56,416 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The 3.8x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.
AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 23% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
At $20,500 in median debt against $56,416 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #185 out of 351 programs, Wake Forest University's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $56,416 to $109,506 over five years (94% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.
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 Wake Forest University'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 Wake Forest University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Wake Forest University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wake Forest University, 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 Wake Forest University
How does Wake Forest University's Economics program score?
A score of 66/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Wake Forest University trails the majority of Economics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.
How affordable is Economics at Wake Forest University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,032, but the average net cost is $114,984 — a 56% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.