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Economics at University of Rochester

Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $63,475/yr (18% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)

ROI 3.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #169 of 351 Economics programs Top 50%

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	$937K	$891K	$738K
Earnings Multiple	3.6x	3.5x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	66%	60%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	68	67	63

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$257,392

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$120,992

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,946

3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$102,906

62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $63,475 at University of Rochester come in 18% above the national median of $53,966 for Economics programs.

An earnings multiple of 3.5x 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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $63,475 far exceeding the $19,946 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #169 of 351 Economics programs, University of Rochester scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $102,906 show a 62% jump from the $63,475 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Rochester

University of Rochester accepts 36% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a mid-sized student body of 6,488 in Rochester, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $120,992 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Rochester →

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 University of Rochester

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 University of Rochester?

A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Economics field.

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 $738,319 in decade earnings vs $936,716 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is University of Rochester a hidden gem for Economics?

After financial aid, the average student pays $120,992 over four years — 53% below the $257,392 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 →