Economics at Saint Michael's College

Colchester, VT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,211/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #302 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 $699K $678K $592K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$200,160
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$120,132
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,750
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,531
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $47,211 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,750 represents roughly 6 months of the $47,211 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #302 of 351 Economics programs, Saint Michael's College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $72,531 show a 54% jump from the $47,211 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Saint Michael's College

Saint Michael's College has a 92% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,157 students in Colchester, VT. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $120,132 — 40% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Michael's 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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Saint Michael's College?
This program scores 56/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Economics careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $592,327 in decade earnings vs $698,610 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →