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Economics at University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,444/yr (-19% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

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

ROI 9.3x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #276 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	$626K	$612K	$548K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.5x	9.3x	8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.4x	4.3x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	60	59	58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,632

Out-of-state: $143,216 (4.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$79,596

-21% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,250

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,644

46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $43,444/yr fall 19% below the $53,966 national median for Economics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

A 9.3x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $21,250 in median debt against $43,444 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #276 ranking among 351 Economics programs places University of Rhode Island in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 46% earnings increase from $43,444 to $63,644 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 13,822 in Kingston, RI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Rhode Island →

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 Rhode Island

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 does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at University of Rhode Island?

At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Economics is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at University of Rhode Island?

The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Rhode Island a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Rhode Island's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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