Economics at Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,682/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #260 of 351 Economics programs

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 $551K $545K $502K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.1x 12.0x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.9x 7.8x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,556
Out-of-state: $70,116 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,880
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,421
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,503
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Bridgewater State University's Economics graduates start at $43,682/yr, trailing the $53,966 national average by 19%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 12.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,421 debt-to-$43,682 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #260 out of 351 programs, Bridgewater State University's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $43,682 to $55,503 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Bridgewater State University

A 89% acceptance rate means Bridgewater State University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 7,899 students in Bridgewater, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Bridgewater State University →

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 Bridgewater State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bridgewater State University's Economics program score?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Bridgewater State University trails the majority of Economics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Economics earnings lower at Bridgewater State University?
Lower starting pay at Bridgewater State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →