Economicsat Kalamazoo College
Graduates earn $42,508/yr in their first year — about 21.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $489K; scenarios range from $464K to $489K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College's Economics graduates start at $42,508/yr, trailing the $53,966 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
An earnings multiple of 2.1x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $27,000 debt-to-$42,508 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #342 out of 351 programs, Kalamazoo College's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
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 Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Kalamazoo College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College
How does Kalamazoo College's Economics program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Economics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Why are Economics earnings lower at Kalamazoo College?
Lower starting pay at Kalamazoo College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Economics at Kalamazoo College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $235,056, but the average net cost is $75,492 — a 68% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.