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Economics at Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $94,675/yr (75% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #23 of 351 Economics programs Top 10%

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 $1,314K $1,230K $970K
Earnings Multiple 5.0x 4.7x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$262,956
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$114,476
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,132
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$153,295
62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $94,675 put Dartmouth College's Economics program 75% above the national median of $53,966 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 4.7x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $94,675 far exceeding the $18,132 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #23 ranking out of 351 Economics programs nationally puts Dartmouth College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth from $94,675 to $153,295 over five years (62% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College's 6% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, a compact campus enrolling 4,367 students in Hanover, NH. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $114,476 — 56% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Dartmouth 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

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505) University of Pennsylvania ($89,097)

Other Majors at Dartmouth College

Computer Science ($132,919) Mathematics ($108,255) Mathematics and Statistics, Other ($102,938) Engineering Science ($89,929) Political Science and Government ($72,618) Sociology ($64,377) History ($61,127) Geography and Cartography ($56,756)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Dartmouth College's Economics program score?
A score of 76/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $262,956, but the average net cost is $114,476 — a 56% 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 →