Economics Degree in Scottsdale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Economics degree analysis for Scottsdale, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$82K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$126K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.8 yrs
in Scottsdale
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Economics in Scottsdale, AZ Overview
Scottsdale, Arizona (pop. 241,361) has 16 colleges offering Economics programs. The local cost of living index of 126 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,416/month. Economics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Econometrics and Statistical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Scottsdale is approximately $81,900, growing to $126,000 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$2,580/yr
Private Tuition
$47,544/yr
Room & Board
$14,253/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,836/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
50%
Economics Salary in Scottsdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Scottsdale's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Economics salary: $65,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Scottsdale adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Economics ROI Calculator for Scottsdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Economics degree using local Scottsdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $2,580 | Private avg: $47,544
Scottsdale avg aid: $14,836/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,332
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$37,800
vs HS diploma in Scottsdale
ROI Payback Period
1.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Scottsdale
$1,003,668
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,071,000) minus total education cost ($67,332)
Student Loan Payoff for Economics in Scottsdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Scottsdale for Economics
Scottsdale Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Scottsdale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Economics in Scottsdale
Scottsdale offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Economics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Scottsdale Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Economics Job Titles
Economics in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$99K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$75K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$72K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$81K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$77K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$68K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$67K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$73K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Business Majors in Scottsdale
Business Analytics
$98K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Information Systems
$63K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$63K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$63K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$78K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$63K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$73K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Economics Degree in Scottsdale — 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 Scottsdale.