Economics at Rhodes College

Memphis, TN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $57,814/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #212 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 $821K $787K $667K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.6x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$219,568
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$100,240
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$89,072
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $57,814 per year, Economics graduates from Rhodes College earn slightly above the $53,966 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #212 of 351 Economics programs, Rhodes College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $89,072 show a 54% jump from the $57,814 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Rhodes College

Rhodes College accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 1,931 students in Memphis, TN. The average net cost of $100,240 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Rhodes 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 Rhodes College

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 Rhodes College?
This program scores 64/100 — 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 $667,342 in decade earnings vs $820,955 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Rhodes College a hidden gem for Economics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $100,240 over four years — 54% below the $219,568 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 →