Economics at Bennington College

Bennington's Economics bachelor's degree carries an estimated $24,102 in debt—slightly above the national median for economics programs—but the earnings picture presents challenges that deserve careful consideration. With Vermont economics programs producing estimated first-year salaries around $47,200, this translates to roughly half a year's salary in debt, a manageable ratio in theory. However, this figure falls about $4,500 below the national median for economics graduates, suggesting Vermont's market may not reward the degree as strongly as other regions.

The comparison to other Vermont programs is particularly instructive. Middlebury's economics graduates earn nearly double at $85,879, while even UVM's program shows lower first-year earnings at $38,452. Where Bennington's program would fall in this range remains uncertain given the estimated data, but the state's limited economics job market means these outcomes can vary dramatically based on factors like internship networks and alumni connections—resources that differ substantially across Vermont's small cohort of schools.

For families considering this investment, the core question is whether Bennington's distinctive educational approach—its emphasis on individualized learning and small class sizes—creates advantages that transcend what the estimated state median suggests. Given the debt load and Vermont's constrained economics job market, you'll want concrete information from the college about graduate placement patterns and whether students typically launch their careers in-state or migrate to stronger markets.