Economics at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

La Crosse, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
72
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,595/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 15.9x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #95 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 $626K $612K $548K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.2x 15.9x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.2x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 72 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,604
Out-of-state: $74,764 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,496
-59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,180
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,573
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $53,595 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 15.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $23,180 in median debt against $53,595 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #95 out of 351 programs, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Economics offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $53,595 to $66,573 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has a 73% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 9,194 students in La Crosse, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse →

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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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Economics program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Economics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →