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Economics at University of Delaware

Newark, DE · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $55,905/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

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

ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #60 of 351 Economics programs Top 25%

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	$780K	$750K	$642K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.1x	11.7x	10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.9x	4.7x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	74	73	69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$64,320

Out-of-state: $158,880 (4.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,724

-5% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$84,140

51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $55,905/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $55,905 far exceeding the $25,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #60 out of 351 programs, University of Delaware's Economics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $55,905 to $84,140 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Delaware

A 65% admission rate makes University of Delaware accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 18,812 students in Newark, DE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Delaware →

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 Delaware

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 of Delaware's Economics program score?

A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Delaware's Economics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

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 does University of Delaware rank so high for Economics?

The #60 ranking out of 351 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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