Economics at Washington State University
Pullman, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
68
Optimistic
67
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,762/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI
17.4x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $949K | $903K | $746K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.3x | 17.4x | 14.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.2x | 7.8x | 6.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 66% | 60% | 41% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 68 | 67 | 67 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,988
Out-of-state: $116,292 (7.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$90,097
127% growth from Year 1
About Washington State University
A 85% acceptance rate means Washington State University is accessible to most applicants, with 21,583 students enrolled in Pullman, WA.
See all programs and financial aid at Washington State University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Economists
$115,440/yr
Compare & Explore
Economics at Other Schools
Other Majors at Washington State University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Washington State University?
This program scores 67/100 — 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 $746,077 in decade earnings vs $949,364 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from Washington State University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →