Economics at Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,242/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 7.8x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #211 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 $714K $692K $602K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.1x 7.8x 6.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.6x 4.0x
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, In-State (Sticker)
$88,328
Out-of-state: $149,848 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,876
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,854
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,509
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Temple University's Economics program produces graduates earning $48,242/yr — within striking distance of the $53,966 national average for this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.8x 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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,854 in median debt clears quickly against $48,242 in annual earnings.

Ranked #211 of 351 Economics programs, Temple University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $74,509 show a 54% jump from the $48,242 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Temple University

A 83% acceptance rate means Temple University is accessible to most applicants, with 21,249 students enrolled in Philadelphia, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at Temple 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 Temple 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 Temple University?
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 $601,861 in decade earnings vs $714,165 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →