Economics at Furman University

Greenville, SC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,615/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #315 of 351 Economics programs

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 $589K $579K $525K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$233,248
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$119,988
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,125
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Furman University's Economics program produces graduates earning $55,615/yr — within striking distance of the $53,966 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 2.5x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,125 in median debt clears quickly against $55,615 in annual earnings.

At #315 out of 351 programs, Furman University's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Furman University

Furman University's 53% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 2,322 students in Greenville, SC. The average net cost of $119,988 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Furman 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 Furman 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

How does Furman University's Economics program score?
A score of 53/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Furman University 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →