Economicsat Swarthmore College
Graduates earn $76,944/yr in their first year — about 43.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,146K; scenarios range from $912K to $1,220K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Swarthmore College
A Swarthmore Economics degree signals exceptional analytical rigor and critical thinking, opening doors in highly competitive fields. Your strong quantitative foundation and liberal arts training are incredibly attractive to top-tier employers in finance, consulting, and tech, often leading to roles that demand strategic problem-solving and data interpretation. The college's reputation and robust alumni network are instrumental here, facilitating placements into leading firms and prestigious graduate programs, especially given its proximity to major East Coast economic hubs.
While many analytical tasks face increasing AI automation, your Swarthmore education emphasizes the human element: critical judgment, ethical reasoning, and effective communication. To thrive, actively cultivate advanced data analysis tools and interdisciplinary skills, ensuring you can leverage AI rather than be replaced by it. Seek out internships that challenge you to apply economic principles to real-world business or policy problems.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Swarthmore College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Economics
How Swarthmore College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Swarthmore College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Swarthmore College, 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 →Frequently asked about Economics at Swarthmore College
What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Swarthmore College?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Swarthmore College?
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.
Is Swarthmore College one of the best schools for Economics?
Among 351 Economics programs, Swarthmore College's #69 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Economics at Swarthmore College?
The 70% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $249,648. At a net cost of $74,744, the earnings multiple improves substantially.