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Economics at Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $66,325/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #247 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 $709K $687K $598K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.7x 2.4x
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)
$251,928
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,468
65% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,805
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,278
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Washington University in St Louis's Economics graduates start at $66,325/yr — above the $53,966 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 2.7x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,805 in median debt clears quickly against $66,325 in annual earnings.

A #247 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Washington University in St Louis in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $66,325 to $79,278 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Washington University in St Louis

Only 12% of applicants gain admission to Washington University in St Louis, reflecting elite selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 7,897 in Saint Louis, MO. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $88,468 — 65% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington University in St Louis →

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 Washington University in St Louis

Computer Science ($110,302) Business/Managerial Economics ($106,701) Finance and Financial Management Services ($102,814) Systems Engineering ($83,874) Mathematics ($79,799) Mechanical Engineering ($72,057) Marketing ($70,819) Chemical Engineering ($69,801)

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 Washington University in St Louis?
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 Washington University in St Louis?
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 Washington University in St Louis?
The 65% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $251,928. At a net cost of $88,468, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →