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Economics at Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,944/yr (43% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #69 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 $1,220K $1,146K $912K
Earnings Multiple 4.9x 4.6x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$249,648
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,744
70% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$136,021
77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $76,944 put Swarthmore College's Economics program 43% above the national median of $53,966 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

At 4.6x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 25% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $76,944 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Swarthmore College ranks #69 among 351 Economics programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $76,944-to-$136,021 earnings arc over five years reflects a 77% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College's 7% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, a smaller institution with 1,627 students in Swarthmore, PA. The average net cost of $74,744 over four years represents a 70% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($103,686) Mathematics ($72,656) Biology, General ($41,122) Political Science and Government ($40,449)

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

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Swarthmore College?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Swarthmore College?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Swarthmore College one of the best schools for Economics?
Among 351 Economics programs, Swarthmore College's #69 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Economics at Swarthmore College?
The 70% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $249,648. At a net cost of $74,744, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →