Economics at Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,801/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #308 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 $712K $690K $601K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$273,520
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$156,244
43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,967
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $52,801/yr, Economics graduates from Franklin and Marshall College land near the $53,966 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $23,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #308 of 351 Economics programs, Franklin and Marshall College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $52,801 to $75,967 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Franklin and Marshall College

A 32% acceptance rate puts Franklin and Marshall College in competitive admissions territory, a compact campus enrolling 1,904 students in Lancaster, PA. The average net cost of $156,244 over four years represents a 43% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Franklin and Marshall 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

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Franklin and Marshall College

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 Franklin and Marshall College?
This program scores 55/100 — 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 $600,571 in decade earnings vs $712,057 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →