Economics at Brandeis University

Brandeis graduates with economics degrees start at a solid $57,299—roughly matching the Massachusetts median—but what happens next is more impressive. By year four, earnings jump to $87,870, a 53% increase that reflects either strong graduate school outcomes or meaningful career progression. That trajectory places this program between elite liberal arts colleges like Wellesley and practical powerhouses like Tufts.

The financial fundamentals work in students' favor here. With just $25,295 in median debt—below both state and national averages—graduates face a manageable 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio. A first-year salary of $57,000 provides comfortable breathing room for loan payments while building savings. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates tracked) means these numbers represent real outcomes, though perhaps not every graduate's experience.

What parents should recognize: this isn't Harvard-level immediate payoff, but it's a strong mid-tier option among Massachusetts economics programs. The combination of reasonable debt, above-average starting earnings, and particularly impressive earnings growth makes this a financially sound choice. If your child is debating between Brandeis and a similarly selective school with higher debt loads, the numbers here suggest graduates have the financial flexibility to pursue graduate school, relocate for opportunities, or simply establish themselves without crushing debt pressure.