Economics at Bryn Mawr College

Economics programs in Pennsylvania show enormous variation in outcomes, and Bryn Mawr's estimated figures place it squarely in the middle of the pack. Based on comparable programs at similar Pennsylvania institutions, graduates here likely earn around $53,400 in their first year—exactly matching the state median, but far behind top performers like Penn ($89,000) and Carnegie Mellon ($86,000). This is a highly selective school (31% admission rate, 1404 average SAT), yet the estimated outcomes suggest it doesn't command the same financial premium as its elite peers in the state.

The estimated debt load of $26,400 is manageable relative to those first-year earnings, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5. Similar programs across Pennsylvania typically carry about $25,800 in debt, so this tracks with peer institutions. However, the combination of moderate estimated earnings and near-median debt means this program doesn't offer the clear financial advantage you might expect from a highly selective college. Families should recognize they're likely paying for Bryn Mawr's academic environment and smaller class sizes rather than a distinctive earnings trajectory in economics specifically—the estimated outcomes look remarkably similar to what mid-tier Pennsylvania schools produce in this field.