Economicsat Brown University
Graduates earn $72,064/yr in their first year — about 34.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $944K; scenarios range from $774K to $995K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Brown University
Brown's economics program, situated within a top-tier liberal arts institution, provides a unique blend of rigorous quantitative analysis and critical thinking. This foundation, coupled with the university's esteemed reputation and extensive alumni network, positions graduates exceptionally well for highly competitive roles across finance, consulting, and technology. You'll find strong recruiting pipelines into major firms in New York, Boston, and beyond, leveraging the Brown name to access opportunities often unavailable elsewhere.
While the analytical skills you develop are powerful, consider the significant AI risk identified. Focus on cultivating complementary human-centric skills like strategic problem-solving, persuasive communication, and leadership. These abilities, honed through Brown's interdisciplinary environment, will be your strongest assets, ensuring you adapt and thrive in roles where human judgment and innovation remain indispensable, even as data tasks evolve.
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 Brown University'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 Brown University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Brown University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Brown University, 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 Brown University
How does Brown University's Economics program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Economics graduates.
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.
How affordable is Economics at Brown University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $272,920, but the average net cost is $106,288 — a 61% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.