Economics Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of how individuals, businesses, and governments allocate scarce resources.
Starting Salary
$65K
median
Mid-Career
$100K
salary
ROI Payback
4 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Economics Overview
Study of how individuals, businesses, and governments allocate scarce resources.
Category
Business
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
70%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
18%
Lifetime Premium
$850K
Female Graduates
38%
Economics Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$831,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($850,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
Economics Salary Progression
Common Economics Careers
Economist
Policy Analyst
Financial Analyst
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Economics
#1
MIT
#2
Harvard
#3
Stanford
#4
University of Chicago
#5
Princeton
Related Majors
Economics Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
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