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Economics at Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $70,051/yr (30% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

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

ROI 4.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #75 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	$1,214K	$1,140K	$908K
Earnings Multiple	4.9x	4.6x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$249,304

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$77,696

69% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$131,742

88% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Pomona College Economics graduates command $70,051/yr out of the gate, well above the $53,966 national median. That 30% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

An earnings multiple of 4.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 25% gap from the optimistic case.

At #75 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $131,742 show a 88% jump from the $70,051 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Pomona College

Only 7% of applicants gain admission to Pomona College, reflecting elite selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,638 students in Claremont, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $77,696 over four years — 69% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Pomona 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

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pomona 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Pomona College?

This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Economics nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

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 $908,302 in decade earnings vs $1,213,942 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Pomona College's Economics program stand out?

Ranked #75 of 351 programs nationally, Pomona College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is Pomona College a hidden gem for Economics?

After financial aid, the average student pays $77,696 over four years — 69% below the $249,304 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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