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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #275 of 351

Economicsat University at Albany

Graduates earn $37,188/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $663K; scenarios range from $582K to $682K depending on AI disruption.

Albany, NY Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
60
Optimistic
62
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,188
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$663K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University at Albany

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.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$582K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple14.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$663K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple15.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$682K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple16.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University at Albany's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Economics graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Economics teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$119,980/yr
Moderate
3
Economists
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$115,440/yr
High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
+6.7% 10-yr growth · 87,200 openings/yr
$76,950/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Economics

How University at Albany stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$104K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at University at Albany

Other top programs at University at Albany

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University at Albany, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Economics at University at Albany

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.