Economics at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
78 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
79
Optimistic
78
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,650/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 16.6x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 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 $797K $766K $652K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.3x 16.6x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.7x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 79 78 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,897
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $58,650/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 16.6x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,000 in median debt against $58,650 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #15 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $58,650 to $86,897 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Maryland-College Park

With a 45% acceptance rate, University of Maryland-College Park is moderately selective, with 30,246 students enrolled in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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

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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 University of Maryland-College Park?
This program scores 78/100 — 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 $652,430 in decade earnings vs $796,635 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Maryland-College Park's Economics program stand out?
Ranked #15 of 351 programs nationally, University of Maryland-College Park 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 →