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Economics at Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,375/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 7.9x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #338 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	$465K	$468K	$449K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	7.9x	7.9x	7.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.8x	4.8x	4.7x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	47	48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$59,064

Out-of-state: $96,504 (4.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,636

4% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,750

7.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Montclair State University's Economics graduates start at $39,375/yr, trailing the $53,966 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,750 represents roughly 7 months of the $39,375 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #338 of 351 Economics programs, Montclair State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Montclair State University

A 87% acceptance rate means Montclair State University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 17,677 students in Montclair, NJ. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Montclair State University →

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 Montclair State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Montclair State University?

A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Economics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $449,229 in decade earnings vs $465,231 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Economics from Montclair State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →