Economics at Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,559/yr (33% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #261 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 $664K $646K $571K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.6x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$246,272
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$104,724
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,557
4% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $71,559 per year, Economics graduates from Smith College significantly outpace the $53,966 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

An earnings multiple of 2.6x 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 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $19,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #261 out of 351 programs, Smith College's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $71,559 to $74,557 over five years (4% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Smith College

A 20% acceptance rate puts Smith College in competitive admissions territory, a smaller institution with 2,501 students in Northampton, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $104,724 — 57% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Smith 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 Smith College

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Smith College's Economics program score?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Smith 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 Smith College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $246,272, but the average net cost is $104,724 — a 57% 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 →