Economics at University at Albany

Albany, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,188/yr (-31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 15.9x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #275 of 351 Economics programs

Program Analysis

Your outcomes for UAlbany Economics reflect a unique regional labor market. As a public university in New York's capital, many graduates naturally gravitate towards stable roles within state government agencies, local non-profits, or public sector analysis. While these careers offer invaluable experience, strong benefits, and opportunities for civic impact, their early-career compensation often doesn't match the private sector's initial offerings in finance, consulting, or tech hubs. An economics degree here provides a solid analytical foundation, but without targeted specialization in areas like advanced data science, financial modeling, or specific industry certifications, your initial roles might lean towards generalist analyst positions. The "Very High" AI risk further suggests that some routine analytical tasks common in these roles could face automation. To truly leverage this versatile degree for higher earning potential and resilience, you’ll want to proactively pursue internships in high-growth industries and acquire specific technical skills that differentiate you in the job market.

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 $682K $663K $582K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.4x 15.9x 14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.7x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,632
Out-of-state: $115,992 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,944
-78% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,574
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,432
79% growth from Year 1

About University at Albany

With a 70% acceptance rate, University at Albany is moderately selective, enrolling 12,100 students in Albany, NY. With 42% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University at Albany →

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 University at Albany

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University at Albany's Economics program score?
A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University at Albany 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.
Why are Economics earnings lower at University at Albany?
Lower starting pay at University at Albany may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →