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Economics at Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,099/yr (34% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #115 of 351 Economics programs Top 50%

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 $1,000K $948K $777K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.5x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$270,720
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$159,464
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$112,774
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $72,099 put Boston College's Economics program 34% above the national median of $53,966 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

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 22% 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 $72,099 far exceeding the $18,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #115 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Boston College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $72,099-to-$112,774 earnings arc over five years reflects a 56% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Boston College

Boston College accepts 16% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a mid-sized student body of 9,865 in Chestnut Hill, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $159,464 — 41% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston 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 Boston College

Computer Science ($86,749) Finance and Financial Management Services ($82,495) Information Science/Studies ($80,731) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($80,046) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($78,934) Accounting and Related Services ($75,512) Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations ($74,446) Mathematics ($74,144)

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 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Boston College?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Boston 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 →