Economics at University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,301/yr (-48% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 19.8x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #335 of 351 Economics programs

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 $602K $591K $533K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.2x 19.8x 17.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.0x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,844
Out-of-state: $99,236 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,460
-72% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,971
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,370
92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of North Carolina Asheville's Economics graduates start at $28,301/yr, trailing the $53,966 national average by 48%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.8x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,971 represents roughly 8 months of the $28,301 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #335 of 351 Economics programs, University of North Carolina Asheville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $54,370 show a 92% jump from the $28,301 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of North Carolina Asheville

A 94% acceptance rate means University of North Carolina Asheville is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 2,790 in Asheville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Asheville →

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 North Carolina Asheville

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 North Carolina Asheville?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Economics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $533,063 in decade earnings vs $601,959 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from University of North Carolina Asheville?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →