Economics at Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,267/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #270 of 351 Economics programs

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 $782K $752K $643K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.8x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$266,968
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$181,636
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$83,724
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $54,267/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $54,267 far exceeding the $24,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #270 of 351 Economics programs, Pepperdine University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $83,724 show a 54% jump from the $54,267 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Pepperdine University

A 50% admission rate makes Pepperdine University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 3,629 students in Malibu, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $181,636 over four years — 32% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Pepperdine 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 Pepperdine University

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Pepperdine University?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Economics careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $643,371 in decade earnings vs $781,863 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →