Economics at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,653/yr (-52% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #349 of 351 Economics programs

Program Analysis

The outcomes for this Economics program likely reflect its positioning within a regional labor market. As a public university in Winston-Salem, graduates may primarily enter generalist business roles within the local economy rather than highly specialized analytical positions often found in major financial or policy hubs. The career paths listed, particularly "Managers, all other," suggest many graduates transition into broader management or administrative functions where a general economics background is useful but not explicitly demanded for its quantitative rigor. This can lead to lower starting salaries compared to programs with strong pipelines into finance or data science. The very high AI risk further underscores that generic analytical skills are increasingly automated; you'll need a robust toolkit of advanced quantitative methods to stand out. If you pursue economics here, proactively build a strong quantitative skillset—think advanced statistics, econometrics, and programming—and aggressively pursue internships to differentiate yourself in a competitive labor market.

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 $361K $374K $385K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.4x 13.9x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.4x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$26,940
Out-of-state: $69,564 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,572
-99% less than sticker · See by income

About Winston-Salem State University

A 69% admission rate makes Winston-Salem State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 4,244 in Winston-Salem, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 61% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Winston-Salem State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Winston-Salem State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Winston-Salem State University's Economics program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Economics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 are Economics earnings lower at Winston-Salem State University?
Lower starting pay at Winston-Salem State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →