Economics Degree in Modesto, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Modesto, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$85K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$130K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2 yrs
in Modesto
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Economics in Modesto, CA Overview
Modesto, California (pop. 218,464) has 9 colleges offering Economics programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,224/month. Economics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Econometrics and Statistical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Modesto is approximately $84,500, growing to $130,000 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$57,167/yr
Room & Board
$18,295/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,378/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Economics Salary in Modesto (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Modesto's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Modesto adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Modesto
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics degree using local Modesto tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $57,167
Modesto avg aid: $10,378/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,340
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,000
vs HS diploma in Modesto
ROI Payback Period
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Modesto
$1,025,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,105,000) minus total education cost ($79,340)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Modesto
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Modesto for Economics
Modesto Junior College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Modesto Junior College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Economics in Modesto
Modesto offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Modesto Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Economics Job Titles
Economics in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$92K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$91K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$84K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$74K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$77K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$73K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$75K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$86K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Business Majors in Modesto
Business Analytics
$101K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$91K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$65K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$65K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$65K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$81K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$65K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$75K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Economics Degree in Modesto — 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 Modesto.