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Economics at The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $58,717/yr (9% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

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

ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #9 of 351 Economics programs Top 5%

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	$900K	$858K	$716K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.3x	18.4x	15.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.3x	5.0x	4.2x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	81	80	75

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$46,712

Out-of-state: $171,112 (5.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$78,712

-69% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$97,244

66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $58,717/yr, edging above the $53,966 national average for Economics — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.4x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,500 in median debt against $58,717 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #9 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $97,244 show a 66% jump from the $58,717 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin admits 29% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with 42,100 students enrolled in Austin, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at Austin →

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

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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 The University of Texas at Austin?

This program scores 80/100 — 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 $715,857 in decade earnings vs $900,081 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes The University of Texas at Austin's Economics program stand out?

Ranked #9 of 351 programs nationally, The University of Texas at Austin lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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