Home Schools Villanova University Economics
Social Sciences · Economics Rank #173 of 351

Economicsat Villanova University

Graduates earn $67,065/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $855K; scenarios range from $713K to $896K depending on AI disruption.

Villanova, PA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
67 SOLID
68
Optimistic
63
Pessimistic
Earnings
$67,065
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$855K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Villanova University

Graduates earn $67,065/yr, edging above the $53,966 national average for Economics — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 3.3x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

At $26,497 in median debt against $67,065 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #173 of 351 Economics programs, Villanova University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $67,065 to $100,245 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

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
$713K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$855K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score67/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$896K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Villanova University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Villanova University, 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 Villanova University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Villanova University?

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 $713,217 in decade earnings vs $895,771 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.