Economics at Barnard College

Barnard economics graduates command top-tier salaries while carrying notably less debt than peers, a combination that's rare among New York's elite colleges. With first-year earnings of $85,860—70% higher than the state median and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally—these graduates out-earn those from nearly every program in New York except Cornell and Columbia. Yet they graduate with just $16,750 in median debt, roughly $5,000 less than the typical economics graduate nationwide.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 means graduates owe less than three months' salary, giving them immediate financial flexibility that many peers at comparably selective schools don't enjoy. Earnings continue climbing to over $103,000 by year four, suggesting strong career trajectory rather than just favorable starting positions. This pattern holds even among New York's competitive economics programs, where Barnard outperforms schools like Vassar and Hamilton.

For families weighing selective liberal arts colleges, Barnard offers Ivy-caliber earnings outcomes with significantly more manageable debt. The 8% admission rate reflects its selectivity, but the financial return makes the investment equation straightforward: graduates earn enough to render the debt burden nearly trivial while launching careers that put them among the highest-earning economics majors in the country.