Economicsat CUNY City College
Graduates earn $45,556/yr in their first year — about 16.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $618K; scenarios range from $552K to $633K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CUNY City College
First-year earnings of $45,556 place CUNY City College below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.
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 13% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $45,556 far exceeding the $6,650 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #117 of 351 Economics programs, CUNY City College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $45,556 to $65,099 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career 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 CUNY City 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 CUNY City College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CUNY City College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY City 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 CUNY City College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at CUNY City College?
This program scores 70/100 — 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 $551,974 in decade earnings vs $632,804 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from CUNY City College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is CUNY City College a hidden gem for Economics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below the $29,360 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.