Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $84,967 put Cornell University's Economics program 57% above the national median of $53,966 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
An earnings multiple of 4.0x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.
Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 24% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $84,967 far exceeding the $15,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #48 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $129,667 show a 53% jump from the $84,967 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.