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Economics at Middlebury College

Middlebury, VT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $85,879/yr (59% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #37 of 351 Economics programs Top 25%

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 $1,323K $1,238K $975K
Earnings Multiple 5.1x 4.7x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 75 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$261,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$103,736
60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$150,031
75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $85,879 put Middlebury College's Economics program 59% above the national median of $53,966 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 4.7x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $85,879 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #37 out of 351 programs, Middlebury College's Economics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $85,879 to $150,031 over five years (75% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Middlebury College

Middlebury College's 10% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with a smaller student body of 2,785 in Middlebury, VT. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $103,736 — 60% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Middlebury 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 Middlebury College

Computer Science ($80,158) International Relations and National Security Studies ($68,344) Political Science and Government ($59,026) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($46,758) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($44,585) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($44,142) Psychology, General ($43,839) Area Studies ($40,467)

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

How does Middlebury College's Economics program score?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Middlebury College's Economics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Middlebury College rank so high for Economics?
The #37 ranking out of 351 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
How affordable is Economics at Middlebury College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $261,120, but the average net cost is $103,736 — a 60% 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 →