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Economics at Whitman College

Walla Walla, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,832/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #269 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 $916K $873K $726K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.5x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$245,968
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$142,024
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,363
97% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $46,832/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 3.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $46,832 far exceeding the $16,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #269 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Whitman College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $46,832-to-$92,363 earnings arc over five years reflects a 97% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Whitman College

A 50% admission rate makes Whitman College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 1,523 students in Walla Walla, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $142,024 — 42% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Whitman 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 Whitman College

Psychology, General ($33,090) Biology, General ($28,538) Political Science and Government ($27,689) English Language and Literature, General ($25,574)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Whitman College?
At 60/100, 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 Whitman 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →