Economics Degree in Santa Ana, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Santa Ana, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$79K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$121K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Santa Ana
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Economics in Santa Ana, CA Overview
Santa Ana is one of California's top college towns, with 27 institutions and a student population of 9,823. Public tuition averages $1,540/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 Santa Ana is approximately $78,650, growing to $121,000 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
27
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$44,205/yr
Room & Board
$17,583/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,688/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Economics Salary in Santa Ana (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Ana's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Santa Ana adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Santa Ana
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics degree using local Santa Ana tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $44,205
Santa Ana avg aid: $15,688/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$76,492
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$36,300
vs HS diploma in Santa Ana
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Ana
$952,008
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,028,500) minus total education cost ($76,492)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Santa Ana
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Ana for Economics
Santa Ana College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Ana College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Economics in Santa Ana
Santa Ana offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Business Analytics
$94K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$85K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$61K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$75K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$61K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$70K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Economics Degree in Santa Ana — 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 Santa Ana.