Economicsat Grinnell College
Graduates earn $46,791/yr in their first year — about 13.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $737K; scenarios range from $633K to $765K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Grinnell College
Grinnell's Economics program, true to its liberal arts roots, offers a rigorous intellectual foundation rather than a narrow pre-professional track. This emphasis on critical thinking and broad analytical skills often translates into diverse career paths. You'll find graduates pursuing everything from advanced degrees in law or public policy to initial roles in non-profits, research, or even creative industries, which may not always command the highest starting salaries compared to direct entry into finance or tech. However, this broad base often pays dividends in long-term career adaptability and leadership. While some routine data analysis or forecasting tasks in economics face automation risk, Grinnell's focus on complex problem-solving, ethical reasoning, and effective communication prepares you for the strategic, human-centric roles AI cannot replicate. Grinnell's strong alumni network is a significant asset, opening doors to top graduate programs and competitive roles in consulting, data science, and public service. To maximize your post-graduation prospects, actively seek out internships that align with specific industry interests early on.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Grinnell College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Economics
How Grinnell College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Grinnell College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Grinnell College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Economics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Economics at Grinnell College
How does Grinnell College's Economics program score?
A score of 54/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Grinnell 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.
How affordable is Economics at Grinnell College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,448, but the average net cost is $62,432 — a 76% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.