Economics at Bard College at Simon's Rock

Simon's Rock's economics program draws from a typical state earnings profile—around $57,000 first year—but operates in one of the nation's most competitive markets for this degree. Massachusetts produces some of the country's highest-earning economics graduates, with Harvard, Amherst, and Wellesley grads pulling down $90,000+ in their first year. Based on comparable programs across the state, Simon's Rock students would land in the middle of the pack, well below the elite liberal arts colleges but tracking with the state median.

The estimated debt of $24,500 creates a manageable 0.43 ratio to first-year earnings, meaning graduates would theoretically need less than half their annual income to cover educational borrowing. That's a reasonable financial foundation for a bachelor's degree, particularly compared to programs that leave students with debt exceeding their first-year earnings. The challenge isn't the debt load—it's whether this particular path delivers the networking, internship access, and credential recognition that drives the substantial earnings premium at Massachusetts' top-tier programs.

For families paying full freight at Simon's Rock, the question becomes whether the early college model and small-school environment justify potential earnings that lag significantly behind the state's leading economics programs. If your student can access the elite institutions where this degree really pays off, that gap matters. Otherwise, this represents a solid middle-ground option with workable debt.