Economicsat Carleton College
Graduates earn $66,567/yr in their first year — about 23.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $926K; scenarios range from $762K to $975K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Carleton College
Graduates earn $66,567/yr, edging above the $53,966 national average for Economics — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
The 3.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.
AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 22% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
At $19,500 in median debt against $66,567 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Ranked #146 out of 351 programs, Carleton College's Economics offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $66,567 to $107,997 over five years (62% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.
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 Carleton 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 Carleton College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Carleton College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Carleton 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 Carleton College
How does Carleton College's Economics program score?
This program scores 68/100, 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 Carleton College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $261,828, but the average net cost is $109,280 — a 58% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.