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Economics at Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,164/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #153 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 $949K $903K $746K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.6x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$250,296
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,984
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$106,100
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Lafayette College Economics graduates command $68,164/yr out of the gate, well above the $53,966 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 3.6x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,500 in median debt clears quickly against $68,164 in annual earnings.

Ranked #153 out of 351 programs, Lafayette College's Economics offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $68,164 to $106,100 over five years (56% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Lafayette College

Admission to Lafayette College is competitive, with 31% of applicants accepted, with a smaller student body of 2,746 in Easton, PA. The average net cost of $129,984 over four years represents a 48% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lafayette 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

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

Other Majors at Lafayette College

Chemical Engineering ($79,602) Engineering, General ($76,507) Mechanical Engineering ($72,481) Civil Engineering ($70,391) International Relations and National Security Studies ($58,433) Political Science and Government ($48,112) Sociology and Anthropology ($43,321) Biology, General ($41,885)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lafayette College's Economics program score?
This program scores 68/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Economics graduates.
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 →