Home › Trinity University › Economics

Economics at Trinity University

San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $57,482/yr (7% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 3.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #196 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	$821K	$787K	$667K
Earnings Multiple	4.0x	3.8x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	66	65	60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$205,408

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$94,600

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$88,904

55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $57,482 at Trinity University come in 7% above the national median of $53,966 for Economics programs.

An earnings multiple of 3.8x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $57,482 far exceeding the $20,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #196 of 351 Economics programs, Trinity University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $88,904 show a 55% jump from the $57,482 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Trinity University

Trinity University accepts 28% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a compact campus enrolling 2,518 students in San Antonio, TX. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $94,600 — 54% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Trinity University →

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 Trinity University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Trinity University?

This program scores 65/100 — 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 $667,118 in decade earnings vs $820,591 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Trinity University a hidden gem for Economics?

After financial aid, the average student pays $94,600 over four years — 54% below the $205,408 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →