Economics at University of Dayton

Dayton, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,671/yr (-36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #348 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 $654K $637K $565K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.3x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$190,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$124,944
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,519
80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,671 place University of Dayton below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

An earnings multiple of 3.3x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $34,671 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #348 of 351 Economics programs, University of Dayton falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $62,519 show a 80% jump from the $34,671 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Dayton

A 62% admission rate makes University of Dayton accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 8,099 in Dayton, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $124,944 over four years — 34% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Dayton →

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 of Dayton

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Dayton?
A score of 38/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Economics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $564,890 in decade earnings vs $653,864 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from University of Dayton?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →