Business Economics at Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Managerial Economics
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,087/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (105,700 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #60 of 81 Business/Managerial Economics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $810K $770K $668K
Earnings Multiple 3.9x 3.7x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 58% 42%
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)
$209,552
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$98,672
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,970
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,615
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Hampden-Sydney College's Business Economics program produces graduates earning $52,087/yr — within striking distance of the $53,330 national average for this field.

The 3.7x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,970 debt-to-$52,087 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #60 out of 81 programs, Hampden-Sydney College's financial outcomes for Business Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $52,087 to $85,615 over five years (64% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney College's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 876 students in Hampden-Sydney, VA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $98,672 — 53% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Hampden-Sydney College →

Top Career Paths

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hampden-Sydney 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

How does Hampden-Sydney College's Business Economics program score?
A score of 55/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Hampden-Sydney College trails the majority of Business Economics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Business Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Business Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Business Economics at Hampden-Sydney College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $209,552, but the average net cost is $98,672 — a 53% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →