Economics at Augustana College

An estimated debt load of $23,717 against first-year earnings around $47,000 creates a manageable 0.50 ratio—half what financial aid experts typically flag as concerning. For an economics degree from a selective liberal arts college, these estimates based on comparable Illinois programs suggest a reasonable financial foundation, particularly as reported four-year earnings climb to $72,164. That trajectory matters: graduates appear to roughly double their entry-level compensation within a few years.

The challenge lies in context. Similar programs across Illinois vary dramatically, from Northwestern's $84,932 starting point to regional colleges in the low $50,000s. Without actual reported outcomes from Augustana's own economics graduates, it's difficult to know where this program sits within that spectrum. The college's solid academic profile—a 1133 average SAT and selective 68% admission rate—suggests graduates might perform toward the stronger end of the state range, but peer programs indicate that's far from guaranteed.

The debt estimate appears manageable regardless of where outcomes land. Even at the conservative first-year figure, a graduate could realistically handle monthly loan payments while building toward that stronger mid-career earnings level. For families weighing this investment, the key question becomes whether Augustana's economics program specifically prepares students for the higher-earning positions rather than the median outcomes—something worth investigating directly with the department's placement records and alumni network.