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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #29 of 351

Economicsat Claremont McKenna College

Graduates earn $89,505/yr in their first year — about 66.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,238K; scenarios range from $975K to $1,322K depending on AI disruption.

Claremont, CA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
75 STRONG
76
Optimistic
71
Pessimistic
Earnings
$89,505
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,238K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna's Economics program consistently delivers exceptional career launchpads, primarily due to its intense quantitative rigor fused with a strong liberal arts foundation. This combination, alongside a dedicated career services office and an incredibly supportive alumni network, means graduates are highly sought after by top-tier investment banks, management consulting firms, and leading tech companies right out of the gate. You're not just learning theory; you're developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that translate directly into strategic roles. While the broader field faces some AI-driven disruption, your CMC education prepares you for the higher-level analytical and interpretive work that automation augments, rather than replaces. To maximize your advantage, actively engage with the program's strong research opportunities and leverage the extensive alumni connections for internships early on.

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
$975K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple3.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,238K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple4.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,322K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple5.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna 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
Same state (CA)
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 Claremont McKenna College

Other top programs at Claremont McKenna College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna College

How does Claremont McKenna College's Economics program score?

A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Claremont McKenna College's Economics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

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 Claremont McKenna College after financial aid?

Sticker price is $256,600, but the average net cost is $109,536 — a 57% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.