Economics at Kenyon College

Gambier, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,082/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #249 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 $790K $759K $648K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.7x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$277,320
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$117,532
58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,718
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,978
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Kenyon College's Economics graduates start at $58,082/yr — above the $53,966 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x 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 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,718 in median debt clears quickly against $58,082 in annual earnings.

At #249 out of 351 programs, Kenyon College's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $58,082 to $85,978 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Kenyon College

Admission to Kenyon College is competitive, with 31% of applicants accepted, a compact campus enrolling 1,753 students in Gambier, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $117,532 over four years — 58% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Kenyon College →

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 Kenyon College

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 Kenyon College's Economics program score?
A score of 61/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Kenyon 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 Kenyon College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $277,320, but the average net cost is $117,532 — a 58% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →