Economicsat Colby College
Graduates earn $76,401/yr in their first year — about 42.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,211K; scenarios range from $957K to $1,293K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Colby College
Your Colby Economics degree, grounded in a rigorous liberal arts tradition, cultivates exceptional analytical prowess and critical thinking. This broad, adaptable skillset explains why alumni consistently secure strong positions across diverse sectors like financial services, consulting, and data analytics. The program's reputation, coupled with a highly engaged alumni network, particularly in major East Coast hubs like Boston and New York, actively facilitates entry into roles that demand strategic problem-solving and nuanced understanding beyond mere technical execution.
While specific analytical tasks within economics may face automation, your Colby education emphasizes the higher-order reasoning, communication, and interdisciplinary perspective that AI cannot replicate. To thrive in this evolving landscape, focus on developing complementary skills, such as advanced data visualization or programming languages, and actively seek internships that integrate your economic understanding with practical application. This combination will make you highly competitive and resilient.
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 Colby 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 Colby College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Colby College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colby 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 Colby College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Colby College?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $956,544 in decade earnings vs $1,292,616 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colby College's Economics program stand out?
Ranked #62 of 351 programs nationally, Colby College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is Colby College a hidden gem for Economics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $95,756 over four years — 64% below the $266,400 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.