Economics Degree in Lansing, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Lansing, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$85K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.7 yrs
in Lansing
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Economics in Lansing, MI Overview
Lansing, Michigan (pop. 112,644) has 6 colleges offering Economics programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $733/month. Economics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Econometrics and Statistical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Lansing is approximately $55,250, growing to $85,000 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$14,460/yr
Private Tuition
$35,667/yr
Room & Board
$9,189/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,827/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
59%
Economics Salary in Lansing (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lansing's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Lansing adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Lansing
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics degree using local Lansing tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,460 | Private avg: $35,667
Lansing avg aid: $12,827/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,596
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$25,500
vs HS diploma in Lansing
ROI Payback Period
3.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lansing
$627,904
Lifetime earnings premium ($722,500) minus total education cost ($94,596)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Lansing
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lansing for Economics
Michigan State University
public
$14,460/yr
$57,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lansing Community College
$4,296/yr
Top Employers for Economics in Lansing
Lansing offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lansing 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
Grand Rapids, MI
$57K starting · COL 88
10 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
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 Lansing
Business Analytics
$66K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$60K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$43K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$43K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$49K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Economics Degree in Lansing — 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 Lansing.