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Economics at CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,377/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 21.1x earnings multiple (10.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #207 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 $653K $637K $565K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.7x 21.1x 18.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.5x 10.3x 9.1x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,152
Out-of-state: $61,952 (10.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$15,320
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,295
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,765
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

CUNY Queens College's Economics graduates start at $39,377/yr, trailing the $53,966 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 21.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,295 in median debt clears quickly against $39,377 in annual earnings.

A #207 ranking among 351 Economics programs places CUNY Queens College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $39,377-to-$64,765 earnings arc over five years reflects a 64% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About CUNY Queens College

CUNY Queens College's 69% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 13,060 students in Queens, NY. With 48% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $15,320 over four years — 49% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Queens 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 CUNY Queens College

Computer Science ($63,632) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($58,894) Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language ($48,923) Finance and Financial Management Services ($45,168) Accounting and Related Services ($45,158) Urban Studies/Affairs ($42,995) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($37,654) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($37,414)

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 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at CUNY Queens College?
At 64/100, 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 CUNY Queens 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.
Is CUNY Queens College a good choice for Economics despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY Queens College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →