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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #115 of 351

Economicsat Boston College

Graduates earn $72,099/yr in their first year — about 34.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $948K; scenarios range from $777K to $1,000K depending on AI disruption.

Chestnut Hill, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
70 STRONG
71
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$72,099
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$948K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Boston College

Boston College's strong reputation and prime location in the vibrant Boston metropolitan area significantly shape the career trajectory for Economics graduates. Your degree from a selective institution like BC opens doors to competitive fields like finance, consulting, and tech, which have a strong presence in the region. The program's rigorous analytical and quantitative training makes you highly sought after for roles requiring data interpretation, strategic thinking, and complex problem-solving. This robust foundation and the university's powerful alumni network contribute to the excellent career prospects you see reflected in post-graduation outcomes. To truly maximize this potential and navigate the evolving job market, focus heavily on internships and developing advanced data analysis skills, as these are critical for securing the most impactful and resilient roles.

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
$777K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$948K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,000K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple3.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston College

Other top programs at Boston College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Boston 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 Boston College

What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Boston College?

At 70/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Boston 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.