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Economics at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,921/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #22 of 351 Economics programs Top 10%

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 $838K $802K $678K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.1x 12.5x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.8x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,804
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,191
55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $58,921/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 12.5x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,500 in median debt against $58,921 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #22 of 351 programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Economics program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $91,191 show a 55% jump from the $58,921 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

With a 44% acceptance rate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is moderately selective, with 34,623 students enrolled in Champaign, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →

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

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

Other Majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Computer Science ($124,530) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($113,503) Mathematics and Computer Science ($109,843) Computer Engineering ($103,123) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($86,483) Systems Engineering ($81,785) Nuclear Engineering ($81,134) Mechanical Engineering ($80,187)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
This program scores 76/100 — 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 $677,556 in decade earnings vs $837,613 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →