Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $80,888 put Williams College's Economics program 50% above the national median of $53,966 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
An earnings multiple of 4.9x 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 27% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $80,888 far exceeding the $12,925 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #46 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $150,862 show a 87% jump from the $80,888 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.