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Economics at California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,408/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 23.0x earnings multiple (8.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #72 of 351 Economics programs Top 25%

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 $667K $649K $573K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.6x 23.0x 20.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.8x 8.6x 7.6x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,220
Out-of-state: $75,740 (8.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,104
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,996
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $46,408/yr, Economics graduates from California State University-East Bay land near the $53,966 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 23.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

California State University-East Bay ranks #72 among 351 Economics programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 49% earnings increase from $46,408 to $68,996 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-East Bay

With 97% of applicants admitted, California State University-East Bay prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 10,422 in Hayward, CA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-East Bay →

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

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

Other Majors at California State University-East Bay

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($124,392) Construction Management ($99,649) Computer Science ($60,371) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($51,549) Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies ($47,511) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($45,387) Biology, General ($44,370) Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies ($43,700)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at California State University-East Bay?
At 72/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at California State University-East Bay?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-East Bay one of the best schools for Economics?
Among 351 Economics programs, California State University-East Bay's #72 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →