Economicsat Willamette University
Graduates earn $45,993/yr in their first year — about 15.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $696K; scenarios range from $605K to $719K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Willamette University
Graduates earn $45,993/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The 3.6x 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 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
With first-year pay of $45,993 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #300 out of 351 programs, Willamette University's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $45,993 to $74,070 over five years (61% 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 Willamette 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 Willamette University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Willamette University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Willamette 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 Willamette University
How does Willamette University's Economics program score?
A score of 56/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Willamette 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 Willamette University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $193,072, but the average net cost is $94,652 — a 51% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.