Economics at Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,738/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 14.1x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #92 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 $766K $738K $634K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.6x 14.1x 12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.6x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$52,396
Out-of-state: $161,312 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,696
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,120
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,293
61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $49,738 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.

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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

At $17,120 in median debt against $49,738 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #92 of 351 Economics programs, Texas A & M University-College Station scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $80,293 show a 61% jump from the $49,738 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Texas A & M University-College Station

With a 63% acceptance rate, Texas A & M University-College Station is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 59,099 students in College Station, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas A & M University-College Station →

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 Texas A & M University-College Station

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Texas A & M University-College Station?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Economics nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $633,755 in decade earnings vs $766,180 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →