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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #349 of 351

Economicsat Winston-Salem State University

Graduates earn $25,653/yr in their first year — about 52.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $374K; scenarios range from $385K to $361K depending on AI disruption.

Winston-Salem, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
37 AT RISK
38
Optimistic
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,653
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$374K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Winston-Salem State University

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.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$385K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple14.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$374K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple13.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$361K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple13.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Winston-Salem State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Economics graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Economics

How Winston-Salem State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Same state (NC)
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at Winston-Salem State University

Other top programs at Winston-Salem State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Winston-Salem State 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at Winston-Salem State University

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.