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Social Sciences · Economics Rank #244 of 351

Economicsat Wabash College

Graduates earn $51,815/yr in their first year — about 4.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $723K; scenarios range from $623K to $749K depending on AI disruption.

Crawfordsville, IN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
61 SOLID
62
Optimistic
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$51,815
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$723K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Wabash College

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.

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
$623K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$723K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple3.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$749K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple3.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Wabash College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wabash 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 Wabash College

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.