Home Schools Northeastern University Economics
Social Sciences · Economics Rank #167 of 351

Economicsat Northeastern University

Graduates earn $70,531/yr in their first year — about 31.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $828K; scenarios range from $695K to $866K depending on AI disruption.

Boston, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
67 SOLID
68
Optimistic
64
Pessimistic
Earnings
$70,531
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$828K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Northeastern University

Northeastern's strong trajectory for Economics graduates is deeply rooted in its renowned co-op program, which provides a significant real-world advantage. This unique experiential learning model allows you to integrate extensive, paid professional experience directly into your degree, often with leading firms across Boston's robust finance, tech, and consulting sectors. These placements build critical professional networks and practical analytical skills long before graduation, preparing you for roles in data science, economic analysis, or management. While the broader field faces evolving AI integration, your co-op experiences cultivate the strategic thinking and complex problem-solving abilities that are highly valued and harder to automate. To maximize your outcome, actively leverage the co-op program to build a specialized portfolio in analytical or project management roles that align with your long-term career aspirations.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$695K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$828K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score67/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$866K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple3.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Northeastern University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Economics graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Economics

How Northeastern University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at Northeastern University

Other top programs at Northeastern University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northeastern University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at Northeastern University

What does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Northeastern University?

At 67/100, Northeastern University's Economics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Northeastern University?

The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.