Economics at Elon University

Elon, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,298/yr (28% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #131 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 $843K $807K $681K
Earnings Multiple 4.7x 4.5x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$178,144
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$164,192
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$95,431
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Elon University's Economics program earn $69,298/yr in their first year — 28% above the $53,966 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 4.5x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,500 in median debt against $69,298 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #131 of 351 Economics programs, Elon University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $69,298 to $95,431 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Elon University

With a 67% acceptance rate, Elon University is moderately selective, serving 6,402 students in Elon, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Elon 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 Elon University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Elon University?
A score of 69/100 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 $681,042 in decade earnings vs $843,297 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →