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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #130 of 351

Economicsat Vassar College

Graduates earn $79,845/yr in their first year — about 48.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $845K; scenarios range from $706K to $885K depending on AI disruption.

Poughkeepsie, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
69 SOLID
70
Optimistic
65
Pessimistic
Earnings
$79,845
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$845K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Vassar College

A Vassar Economics degree, rooted in a rigorous liberal arts tradition, emphasizes critical thinking, robust analytical skills, and persuasive communication. This comprehensive preparation equips you not just for traditional economic roles, but for diverse leadership and analytical positions across finance, consulting, and emerging tech sectors like data science. The college's esteemed reputation and highly engaged alumni network, particularly vibrant in major East Coast hubs like New York City, are powerful assets, opening doors to competitive entry-level positions and accelerating career progression. While Poughkeepsie isn't a financial center, Vassar graduates often leverage these connections for opportunities elsewhere. To truly capitalize on this degree, proactively seek out internships and utilize the alumni network from day one to explore diverse career paths.

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
$706K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$845K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$885K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Vassar College'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 Vassar College 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 Vassar College

Other top programs at Vassar College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Vassar College, 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 Vassar College

What does a 69/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Vassar College?

At 69/100, Vassar College's Economics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Vassar College?

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.