Economics at Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
69
Optimistic
67
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $70,967/yr (32% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #171 of 351 Economics programs Top 50%

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 $858K $821K $690K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 67 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$242,652
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$153,712
37% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,130
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,544
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Drexel University's Economics program earn $70,967/yr in their first year — 32% above the $53,966 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

At $29,130 in median debt against $70,967 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #171 of 351 Economics programs, Drexel University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $70,967 to $97,544 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Drexel University

Drexel University has a 78% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 13,509 in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $153,712 over four years represents a 37% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Drexel University →

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 Drexel University

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Drexel University?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Economics field.
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 $690,017 in decade earnings vs $857,939 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →