Economics Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Montgomery, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$92K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.2 yrs
in Montgomery
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Economics in Montgomery, AL Overview
Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Economics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Econometrics and Statistical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Montgomery is approximately $59,800, growing to $92,000 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$10,814/yr
Private Tuition
$29,622/yr
Room & Board
$11,372/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,044/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
46%
Economics Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Montgomery's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Montgomery
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics degree using local Montgomery tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622
Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,744
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$27,600
vs HS diploma in Montgomery
ROI Payback Period
3.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Montgomery
$693,256
Lifetime earnings premium ($782,000) minus total education cost ($88,744)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Montgomery
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Montgomery for Economics
Alabama State University
public
$11,068/yr
$44,272 total
Auburn University at Montgomery
public
$10,560/yr
$42,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trenholm State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Economics in Montgomery
Montgomery offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Montgomery Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Economics Job Titles
Economics in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$64K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$57K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Mobile, AL
$64K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$51K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$62K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$67K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$54K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$54K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Business Majors in Montgomery
Business Analytics
$72K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$64K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$46K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$57K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$46K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$53K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Economics Degree in Montgomery — 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 Montgomery.