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Economics at Wabash College

Crawfordsville, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $51,815/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #244 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 $749K $723K $623K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.7x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$196,500
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,624
55% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,447
53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $51,815 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 3.7x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $51,815/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #244 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Wabash College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $51,815-to-$79,447 earnings arc over five years reflects a 53% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Wabash College

With a 63% acceptance rate, Wabash College is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 845 students in Crawfordsville, IN. The average net cost of $87,624 over four years represents a 55% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Wabash College →

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

Compare this program → View all 351 schools offering Economics →

Economics at Other Schools

Harvard University ($103,993) Princeton University ($103,041) Duke University ($98,649) Stanford University ($98,104) Dartmouth College ($94,675) University of Chicago ($92,075) Amherst College ($90,568) Claremont McKenna College ($89,505)

Other Majors at Wabash College

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ($50,446) History ($39,138) Political Science and Government ($32,834) Religion/Religious Studies ($26,455)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Wabash College?
At 61/100, 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 Wabash 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.
What do students actually pay for Economics at Wabash College?
The 55% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $196,500. At a net cost of $87,624, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →