Economicsat Western Colorado University
Graduates earn $53,403/yr in their first year — about 1.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $564K; scenarios range from $515K to $572K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Colorado University
Western Colorado University's Economics program produces graduates earning $53,403/yr — within striking distance of the $53,966 national average for this field.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.
Ranked #228 of 351 Economics programs, Western Colorado University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
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 Western Colorado 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 Western Colorado University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Colorado University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Colorado 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 Western Colorado University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Western Colorado University?
This program scores 62/100 — 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 $514,826 in decade earnings vs $572,217 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.