Economics at Aquinas College

Similar economics programs across Michigan suggest first-year earnings around $49,200—precisely where Aquinas appears to land based on comparable peer institutions. With estimated debt of $27,000, that creates a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about half their first-year salary. That's workable, though not exceptional.

The real question is whether Aquinas provides the same economic returns as Michigan's flagship programs. University of Michigan graduates earn $68,000 right out of the gate, while even regional universities like Grand Valley State hit $54,000. If these estimates hold, Aquinas students start nearly $20,000 behind state peers in their first year—a gap that compounds over time. For a small liberal arts college, that positioning makes sense, but families should understand they're not getting Big Ten economics outcomes at a regional price point.

The borrowing level sits at Michigan's typical range for this degree, so you're not taking on unusual risk. But with 71% of applicants admitted and modest test scores, Aquinas serves a different student than Michigan State or U-M. If your child thrives in smaller settings and wouldn't gain admission to those larger programs anyway, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. If they could compete at GVSU or MSU, however, those schools' track records show meaningfully higher starting salaries that could offset any cost differences within a few years.