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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #47 of 351

Economicsat Barnard College

Graduates earn $85,860/yr in their first year — about 59.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,115K; scenarios range from $891K to $1,186K depending on AI disruption.

New York, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
74 STRONG
75
Optimistic
70
Pessimistic
Earnings
$85,860
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,115K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Barnard College

Your Barnard Economics degree opens doors in one of the world's most dynamic job markets. The program's rigorous analytical training, coupled with its prime New York City location, positions graduates for highly competitive roles across finance, consulting, tech, and policy. You'll find yourself recruited by top-tier firms on Wall Street, major consulting houses, and burgeoning tech companies, often leveraging the extensive Columbia University network. The versatility of an economics background allows for rapid advancement into management or specialized analytical roles, reflecting the strong demand for quantitatively skilled critical thinkers. However, the high AI risk underscores the need to develop advanced data analysis and strategic thinking skills, as routine analytical tasks become increasingly automated. To truly distinguish yourself, actively pursue internships and research opportunities that allow you to apply complex economic theory to real-world problems and develop your communication and leadership abilities.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$891K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple3.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,115K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple4.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,186K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple4.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Barnard College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Economics graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Economics

How Barnard College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at Barnard College

Other top programs at Barnard College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Barnard College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Economics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at Barnard College

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Barnard College?

This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Economics nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Economics careers?

With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $891,238 in decade earnings vs $1,186,110 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Barnard College's Economics program stand out?

Ranked #47 of 351 programs nationally, Barnard College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.