Home › Bowdoin College › Economics

Economics at Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $75,867/yr (41% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 3.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #79 of 351 Economics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,078K	$1,019K	$825K
Earnings Multiple	4.2x	3.9x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	68

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$259,640

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$83,144

68% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

3.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$122,126

61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Bowdoin College's Economics program earn $75,867/yr in their first year — 41% above the $53,966 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 3.9x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 23% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,500 in median debt against $75,867 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #79 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $122,126 show a 61% jump from the $75,867 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College admits 8% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a compact campus enrolling 1,846 students in Brunswick, ME. The average net cost of $83,144 over four years represents a 68% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bowdoin College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr

Economists $115,440/yr

View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bowdoin College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Bowdoin College?

This program scores 72/100 — 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 $825,246 in decade earnings vs $1,078,481 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Bowdoin College's Economics program stand out?

Ranked #79 of 351 programs nationally, Bowdoin College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is Bowdoin College a hidden gem for Economics?

After financial aid, the average student pays $83,144 over four years — 68% below the $259,640 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →