Economics at California State University-Los Angeles

An economics degree should open doors to solid middle-class earnings, but Cal State LA's graduates are earning $32,877 in their first year—barely 60% of what California's median economics graduate makes. This places the program in the bottom 10% statewide, despite the relatively modest $11,000 debt load. Even among Cal State LA's highly accessible student body (92% admission rate, two-thirds on Pell grants), these outcomes suggest something isn't connecting between the degree and the job market.

The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—warrants serious caution here. These numbers might not represent the typical experience, and one or two outliers could skew the picture significantly. That said, the gap is too large to ignore: Cal State LA economics grads are earning $18,000 less annually than the California median and nearly $19,000 below the national benchmark. Compare this to nearby options like Santa Clara ($76,606) or even the UC system schools, and the difference becomes stark.

For families weighing this program, the low debt is genuinely positive—it keeps financial risk contained. But parents should dig deeper: What career services support exists? Where do graduates actually end up working? At these earnings levels, students might be better served by the business program or exploring economics degrees at other Cal State campuses where outcomes data looks stronger.