Economicsat Bates College
Graduates earn $71,187/yr in their first year — about 32.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $915K; scenarios range from $754K to $963K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Bates College
Bates' rigorous liberal arts approach to Economics cultivates exceptionally versatile graduates. Your strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills, honed in small classes and close faculty mentorship, are highly valued across sectors. This explains why you'll find alumni succeeding in competitive fields like finance, consulting, and data analytics, often landing roles in Boston or New York, but also making significant impacts in public policy and non-profits. The program's reputation opens doors, and employers trust Bates graduates to adapt and lead. While some specific analytical tasks face automation, your broader problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities position you to integrate new technologies, not be replaced by them. To maximize this, actively seek internships that blend quantitative analysis with real-world communication, and build a diverse professional network early.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Bates College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Economics
How Bates College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Bates College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Bates 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 →Frequently asked about Economics at Bates College
What does a 69/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Bates College?
At 69/100, Bates College's Economics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Bates College?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What do students actually pay for Economics at Bates College?
The 52% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $253,912. At a net cost of $122,812, the earnings multiple improves substantially.