Economics at Bridgewater State University

An economics degree from Bridgewater State lands graduates at $43,682 after a year—about $8,000 below the national median for economics majors and roughly $14,000 below the typical Massachusetts economics graduate. Among the state's 38 economics programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs deliver stronger early earnings. The gap is particularly stark given Massachusetts' concentration of high-paying economics opportunities: even BC and BU grads typically start $20,000+ higher.

The debt picture offers some relief—at $27,000, it's manageable and well below both state and national norms for economics programs. The 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could reasonably pay this off within 2-3 years under aggressive repayment plans. Earnings do grow to $51,153 by year four, which closes the gap with national medians, though Massachusetts peers maintain their advantage.

For a student who needs to stay in-state and wants economics credentials at minimal financial risk, Bridgewater delivers an affordable path into the field. But families should understand they're trading immediate earning power for lower debt—your graduate will likely need several years and possibly grad school to match the starting salaries that nearby programs provide on day one. If your child can access UMass Amherst or similar alternatives, the earnings difference likely justifies modestly higher costs.