Economics at Canisius University

Buffalo, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,786/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #234 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 $639K $624K $556K
Earnings Multiple 4.9x 4.8x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$130,880
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,288
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,923
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,624
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $55,786 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 4.8x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

At $23,923 in median debt against $55,786 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #234 of 351 Economics programs, Canisius University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $55,786 to $68,624 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Canisius University

Canisius University has a 82% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,768 students in Buffalo, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $73,288 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Canisius 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 Canisius 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 Canisius University?
This program scores 62/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $555,555 in decade earnings vs $638,642 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →