Economics at Washington College

Chestertown, MD · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,835/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #259 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 $784K $755K $645K
Earnings Multiple 3.6x 3.5x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$217,424
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,380
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,557
62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $50,835/yr, Economics graduates from Washington College land near the $53,966 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $50,835 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #259 of 351 Economics programs, Washington College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $82,557 show a 62% jump from the $50,835 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Washington College

Washington College accepts 66% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 890 students in Chestertown, MD. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $116,380 — 46% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington 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 Washington College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at Washington College?
This program scores 60/100 — 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 $644,985 in decade earnings vs $784,496 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →