Economics at CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,580/yr (-36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 27.3x earnings multiple (13.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #248 of 351 Economics programs

Program Analysis

Hunter College's Economics program offers a robust theoretical foundation within the competitive New York City landscape, but your initial career path may differ from national averages for this major. Many graduates find themselves in roles within the public sector, non-profits, or smaller analytical firms across the city's diverse economy, which often provide critical experience but may not command the highest entry-level salaries compared to specialized finance or tech roles. The program's strong liberal arts roots mean you'll gain excellent critical thinking skills, but the pipeline to high-paying Wall Street or top-tier consulting firms isn't as direct as at some other institutions. Given the very high AI risk associated with many analytical tasks, actively pursuing internships and developing strong quantitative skills, perhaps through a minor in data science or finance, will be crucial to carve out a distinct and resilient career path.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $842K $806K $680K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 28.5x 27.3x 23.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.7x 13.1x 11.1x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,528
Out-of-state: $61,328 (13.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$9,784
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,101
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,945
125% growth from Year 1

About CUNY Hunter College

With a 54% acceptance rate, CUNY Hunter College is moderately selective, enrolling 16,642 students in New York, NY. With 55% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $9,784 over four years — 67% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Hunter College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY Hunter College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY Hunter College's Economics program score?
A score of 61/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but CUNY Hunter College trails the majority of Economics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.
Why are Economics earnings lower at CUNY Hunter College?
Lower starting pay at CUNY Hunter College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Economics at CUNY Hunter College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $29,528, but the average net cost is $9,784 — a 67% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →