Economics at Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,309/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #213 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 $697K $677K $592K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.7x 10.3x 9.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.5x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,404
Out-of-state: $123,952 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,788
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,646
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $45,309 place Christopher Newport University below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.

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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,750 represents roughly 6 months of the $45,309 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #213 of 351 Economics programs, Christopher Newport University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $71,646 show a 58% jump from the $45,309 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Christopher Newport University

Christopher Newport University accepts 88% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 4,402 in Newport News, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Christopher Newport 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 Christopher Newport University

Consider the Trade Route?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Christopher Newport University?
This program scores 64/100 — 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 $591,607 in decade earnings vs $697,436 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Economics from Christopher Newport University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →