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Economics at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,993/yr (-26% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 30.2x earnings multiple (11.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #111 of 351 Economics programs Top 50%

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	$895K	$854K	$713K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	31.6x	30.2x	25.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	11.8x	11.3x	9.4x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	71	70	70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,292

Out-of-state: $75,812 (11.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$22,584

20% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,750

4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$86,084

115% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,993 place California State University-Fullerton below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 30.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $39,993 far exceeding the $13,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #111 ranking among 351 Economics programs places California State University-Fullerton in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $39,993-to-$86,084 earnings arc over five years reflects a 115% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Fullerton

California State University-Fullerton accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 36,956 students enrolled in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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 California State University-Fullerton

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at California State University-Fullerton?

At 70/100, 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-Fullerton?

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-Fullerton a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Fullerton's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →