Entry Level Salary
$59,652
Median Salary
$120,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
26.1%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,800,000
Entry (Early)
$59,652
Median (Prime)
$120,000
High (Prime)
$123,888
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+78k
+566k
+597k
$25k / yr
-12k
+476k
+507k
$50k / yr
-102k
+386k
+417k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
34
24
24
$25k / yr
Never
27
27
$50k / yr
Never
30
30
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-11%
438%
466%
$50k / yr
-47%
177%
192%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate40.3%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Management occupations
6.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$76,692
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$140,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
5.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$119,558
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$180,080|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Financial managers
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$71,735
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$151,943|$161,700
openings
74,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +14.8%
Top executives
3.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$110,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$212,379|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Management analysts
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$85,383
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Accountants and auditors
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$65,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,000|$81,680
openings
124,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
Postsecondary teachers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$27,140
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$89,669|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Financial and investment analysts
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$83,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$115,000|$101,350
openings
25,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.7%
Personal financial advisors
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$72,888
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$153,385|$102,140
openings
24,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.6%
Software developers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$93,713
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$140,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| business/managerial economics. | Undergrad Certificate | 2 | $72,971 - $72,971 |
| business/managerial economics. | Associate's Degree | 3 | $76,881 - $76,881 |
| business/managerial economics. | Bachelor's Degree | 214 | $38,400 - $162,355 |
| business/managerial economics. | Master's Degree | 27 | $90,432 - $195,072 |
| business/managerial economics. | Doctoral Degree | 11 | Data N/A |
| economics. | Undergrad Certificate | 2 | $101,310 - $101,310 |
| economics. | Associate's Degree | 60 | $44,686 - $72,333 |
| economics. | Bachelor's Degree | 735 | $38,827 - $166,678 |
| economics. | Master's Degree | 189 | $65,464 - $138,425 |
| economics. | Doctoral Degree | 105 | $97,632 - $97,632 |
| economics. | Graduate Certificate | 11 | Data N/A |
| economics. | Level 99 | 9 | Data N/A |