Economics at Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $70,946/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #152 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 $895K $854K $713K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.3x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,088
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$161,716
38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,888
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$101,580
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $70,946 per year, Economics graduates from Bucknell University significantly outpace the $53,966 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

An earnings multiple of 3.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $25,888 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #152 of 351 Economics programs, Bucknell University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $70,946 to $101,580 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Bucknell University

A 32% acceptance rate puts Bucknell University in competitive admissions territory, with a smaller student body of 3,818 in Lewisburg, PA. The average net cost of $161,716 over four years represents a 38% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bucknell University →

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

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bucknell University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Bucknell University?
A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Economics field.
Will AI replace Economics careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $713,008 in decade earnings vs $895,432 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →