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Economics at Reed College

Portland, OR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,110/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #320 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 $570K $562K $513K
Earnings Multiple 2.1x 2.1x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$268,080
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$159,804
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,842
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $53,110 track close to the $53,966 national median for Economics programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The financial case is thin at 2.1x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At $22,842 in median debt against $53,110 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #320 of 351 Economics programs, Reed College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Reed College

Reed College admits 27% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, a smaller institution with 1,407 students in Portland, OR. The average net cost of $159,804 over four years represents a 40% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Reed 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 Reed College

Psychology, General ($32,634) Biology, General ($25,596) Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services ($25,561) English Language and Literature, General ($15,790)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Reed College?
This program scores 52/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Economics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $513,457 in decade earnings vs $569,983 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →