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Economics at Hobart William Smith Colleges

Geneva, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $61,946/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #236 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 $763K $735K $632K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$253,072
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$124,228
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,967
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,370
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $61,946/yr, edging above the $53,966 national average for Economics — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 2.9x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $26,967 in median debt against $61,946 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #236 ranking among 351 Economics programs places Hobart William Smith Colleges in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 36% earnings increase from $61,946 to $84,370 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Hobart William Smith Colleges

With a 57% acceptance rate, Hobart William Smith Colleges is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 1,606 in Geneva, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $124,228 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Hobart William Smith Colleges →

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 Hobart William Smith Colleges

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($72,158) Communication and Media Studies ($50,750) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($43,671) International Relations and National Security Studies ($40,648) Area Studies ($39,939) Psychology, General ($38,117) Political Science and Government ($35,381) Biology, General ($33,163)

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 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Hobart William Smith Colleges?
At 62/100, 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges?
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 Hobart William Smith Colleges?
The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $253,072. At a net cost of $124,228, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →