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Economics at Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,155/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #278 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 $731K $707K $612K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 55

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
$27,000
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,723
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $52,155/yr, Economics graduates from Hampden-Sydney College land near the $53,966 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 3.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $52,155/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #278 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Hampden-Sydney College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 49% earnings increase from $52,155 to $77,723 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney College accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with 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

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 Hampden-Sydney College

Business/Managerial Economics ($52,087) History ($42,949) Biology, General ($41,876) Political Science and Government ($37,123)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Hampden-Sydney College?
At 59/100, 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 Hampden-Sydney 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.
What do students actually pay for Economics at Hampden-Sydney College?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $209,552. At a net cost of $98,672, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →