Economics at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,295/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #73 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 $829K $795K $672K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.6x 13.0x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.3x 3.7x
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)
$60,988
Out-of-state: $184,096 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,152
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,559
72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $50,295/yr, Economics graduates from University of California-Davis land near the $53,966 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 13.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $12,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #73 out of 351 programs, University of California-Davis's Economics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $50,295 to $86,559 over five years (72% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Davis

University of California-Davis accepts 42% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 31,777 students enrolled in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

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 University of California-Davis

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Davis's Economics program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of California-Davis's Economics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Davis rank so high for Economics?
The #73 ranking out of 351 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →