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Economics at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $57,060/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #201 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 $922K $878K $729K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.2x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,850
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$98,555
73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $57,060/yr, edging above the $53,966 national average for Economics — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 3.2x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

At $13,850 in median debt against $57,060 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #201 of 351 Economics programs, University of Southern California falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $98,555 show a 73% jump from the $57,060 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Southern California

University of Southern California admits 10% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, serving a student body of 20,817 in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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 Southern California

Computer Science ($137,284) Computer Software and Media Applications ($103,071) Real Estate ($98,763) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,684) Industrial Engineering ($87,807) Civil Engineering ($85,262) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($80,508)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Southern California?
This program scores 64/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $729,451 in decade earnings vs $922,248 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Southern California a hidden gem for Economics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →