Economics Degree in Grand Rapids, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Grand Rapids, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$88K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4 yrs
in Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Economics in Grand Rapids, MI Overview
Grand Rapids, Michigan (pop. 198,917) has 10 colleges offering Economics programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Economics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Econometrics and Statistical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Grand Rapids is approximately $57,200, growing to $88,000 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$13,394/yr
Private Tuition
$39,440/yr
Room & Board
$13,041/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,857/yr
Unemployment
6.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Economics Salary in Grand Rapids (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Grand Rapids's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Grand Rapids adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Grand Rapids
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics degree using local Grand Rapids tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,394 | Private avg: $39,440
Grand Rapids avg aid: $7,857/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,740
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$26,400
vs HS diploma in Grand Rapids
ROI Payback Period
4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Grand Rapids
$642,260
Lifetime earnings premium ($748,000) minus total education cost ($105,740)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Grand Rapids
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Grand Rapids for Economics
Grand Valley State University
public
$13,394/yr
$53,576 total
Calvin University
private
$39,440/yr
$157,760 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Grand Rapids Community College
$4,296/yr
Top Employers for Economics in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Grand Rapids Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Economics Job Titles
Economics in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$57K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Warren, MI
$58K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$60K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$55K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Lansing, MI
$55K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$59K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$63K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$61K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Business Majors in Grand Rapids
Business Analytics
$69K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$62K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$44K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$44K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$55K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$44K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$51K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Economics Degree in Grand Rapids — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Economics ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Grand Rapids.