Economics at Carleton College

Carleton's economics graduates earn $66,567 in their first year—well above the $56,570 median for Minnesota economics programs—though it's worth noting this comes from a small sample that may not fully represent the program's outcomes. By year four, earnings jump to $83,775, a solid 26% increase that suggests graduates are finding their footing in competitive fields like finance, consulting, or tech.

The debt picture is notably better than typical Minnesota economics programs: $19,500 versus the state median of $24,600. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, graduates owe less than a third of their first-year salary, which creates real financial breathing room early in their careers. This is particularly striking given Carleton's selective profile (22% admission rate, 1491 average SAT)—the school manages to deliver strong outcomes without loading students with excessive debt.

However, the 60th percentile ranking within Minnesota is revealing. Carleton graduates earn more than the median but trail peers at St. Catherine and St. Thomas, despite Carleton's more selective admissions. The small sample size adds uncertainty here—these numbers could shift significantly with more graduates tracked. For families paying Carleton's private school premium, the economics program delivers solid results with manageable debt, though it's not the clear earnings leader in the state.