Home › University of Notre Dame › Economics

Economics at University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,299/yr (41% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 4.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #78 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 $1,058K $1,000K $813K
Earnings Multiple 4.2x 4.0x 3.2x
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)
$250,772
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$111,292
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$120,257
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $76,299 per year, Economics graduates from University of Notre Dame significantly outpace the $53,966 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

An earnings multiple of 4.0x 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 23% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $19,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #78 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $120,257 show a 58% jump from the $76,299 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Notre Dame

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of Notre Dame ranks among the nation's most selective schools, enrolling 8,923 students in Notre Dame, IN. The average net cost of $111,292 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Notre Dame →

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 University of Notre Dame

Finance and Financial Management Services ($99,222) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,517) Mathematics and Statistics, Other ($89,689) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,861) Mechanical Engineering ($84,999) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($83,810) Chemical Engineering ($83,377) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($81,057)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Notre Dame?
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 $812,502 in decade earnings vs $1,057,699 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Notre Dame's Economics program stand out?
Ranked #78 of 351 programs nationally, University of Notre Dame lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is University of Notre Dame a hidden gem for Economics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $111,292 over four years — 56% below the $250,772 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 →