Economicsat University of Rochester
Graduates earn $63,475/yr in their first year — about 18.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $891K; scenarios range from $738K to $937K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Rochester
First-year earnings of $63,475 at University of Rochester come in 18% above the national median of $53,966 for Economics programs.
An earnings multiple of 3.5x 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 21% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $63,475 far exceeding the $19,946 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #169 of 351 Economics programs, University of Rochester scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $102,906 show a 62% jump from the $63,475 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Rochester's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Economics
How University of Rochester stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Rochester
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Rochester, 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 →Frequently asked about Economics at University of Rochester
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Rochester?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Economics field.
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 $738,319 in decade earnings vs $936,716 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Rochester a hidden gem for Economics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $120,992 over four years — 53% below the $257,392 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.