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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #78 of 351

Economicsat University of Notre Dame

Graduates earn $76,299/yr in their first year — about 41.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,000K; scenarios range from $813K to $1,058K depending on AI disruption.

Notre Dame, IN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
68
Pessimistic
Earnings
$76,299
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,000K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Notre Dame

Your Notre Dame Economics degree positions you exceptionally well, largely due to the university's rigorous academic environment and powerful alumni network. Employers, particularly in finance, consulting, and data-intensive industries, actively recruit from this program, recognizing the strong analytical and problem-solving skills you develop. Many graduates pivot into management roles after gaining initial experience, leveraging their foundational understanding of markets and human behavior. While the field faces high AI risk, this primarily impacts routine data analysis and forecasting tasks. To thrive, focus on cultivating strategic thinking, ethical reasoning, and interdisciplinary applications that AI cannot replicate. Seek out opportunities to apply economic principles to complex, unstructured problems, differentiating your value in an evolving landscape.

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
$813K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,000K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple4.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,058K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple4.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Notre Dame'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 of Notre Dame 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 of Notre Dame

Other top programs at University of Notre Dame

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Notre Dame, 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 of Notre Dame

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Notre Dame?

This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Economics nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

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 $812,502 in decade earnings vs $1,057,699 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Notre Dame's Economics program stand out?

Ranked #78 of 351 programs nationally, University of Notre Dame lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is University of Notre Dame a hidden gem for Economics?

After financial aid, the average student pays $111,292 over four years — 56% below the $250,772 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.