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Economics at Western Colorado University

Gunnison, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,403/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #228 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 $572K $564K $515K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.9x 12.7x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,332
Out-of-state: $94,732 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,092
-51% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Western Colorado University's Economics program produces graduates earning $53,403/yr — within striking distance of the $53,966 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #228 of 351 Economics programs, Western Colorado University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Western Colorado University

A 97% acceptance rate means Western Colorado University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 1,653 students in Gunnison, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Colorado University →

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 Western Colorado University

Accounting and Related Services ($47,204) Sociology ($43,178) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($41,886) Psychology, General ($32,352) Political Science and Government ($30,272) Biology, General ($29,881) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($26,123) Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies ($25,903)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Western Colorado University?
This program scores 62/100 — 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 $514,826 in decade earnings vs $572,217 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →