Economics Degree in Louisville, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Louisville, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$90K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.6 yrs
in Louisville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Economics in Louisville, KY Overview
Louisville, Kentucky (pop. 633,045) has 17 colleges offering Economics programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,349/month. Economics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Econometrics and Statistical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Louisville is approximately $58,500, growing to $90,000 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
17
Public Tuition
$12,324/yr
Private Tuition
$37,190/yr
Room & Board
$12,044/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,150/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
58%
Economics Salary in Louisville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Louisville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Louisville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Louisville
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics degree using local Louisville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,324 | Private avg: $37,190
Louisville avg aid: $16,150/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$27,000
vs HS diploma in Louisville
ROI Payback Period
3.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Louisville
$667,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($765,000) minus total education cost ($97,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Louisville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Louisville for Economics
University of Louisville
public
$12,324/yr
$49,296 total
Bellarmine University
private
$45,790/yr
$183,160 total
Spalding University
private
$28,590/yr
$114,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Economics in Louisville
Louisville offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Louisville Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Economics Job Titles
Economics in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Business Majors in Louisville
Business Analytics
$70K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$63K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$45K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$45K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$52K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Economics degree outcomes in Louisville, KY: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Economics programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Kentucky.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Louisville using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Economics graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Economics career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Economics grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Louisville Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Kentucky students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Kentucky programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "kentucky higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Economics Degree in Louisville — 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 Louisville.