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Economics at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,656/yr (-19% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

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

ROI 18.5x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #168 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	$614K	$601K	$540K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.9x	18.5x	16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.7x	5.1x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	68	67	65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,460

Out-of-state: $105,800 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$69,912

-115% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,450

5.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,431

43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,656 place University of New Mexico-Main Campus below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 18.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $43,656 far exceeding the $18,450 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #168 ranking among 351 Economics programs places University of New Mexico-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 43% earnings increase from $43,656 to $62,431 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of New Mexico-Main Campus

University of New Mexico-Main Campus accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 16,686 in Albuquerque, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at University of New Mexico-Main Campus →

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 New Mexico-Main Campus

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 does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at University of New Mexico-Main Campus?

At 67/100, University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Economics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at University of New Mexico-Main Campus?

The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of New Mexico-Main Campus a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of New Mexico-Main Campus's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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