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

Program Analysis

The earnings trends for UD Economics reflect a combination of the regional labor market and the broad nature of an economics degree. While graduates develop strong analytical skills, the Dayton, Ohio area, though robust, isn't a primary hub for the high-paying financial or consulting firms that often drive top economics salaries nationally. Many graduates find valuable roles in regional businesses, government agencies, or non-profits, where the application of economic principles translates to general business analysis, project management, or public service rather than specialized quantitative finance. This path often means a slower initial salary climb compared to majors with more direct, high-demand technical pipelines. To maximize your potential, aggressively pursue internships in your desired sector and consider a complementary minor or certificate in data analytics or finance to sharpen your quantitative edge for a competitive 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 $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

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 →