Economics at Case Western Reserve University

Case Western's economics program produces middling outcomes that fall short of what you'd expect given the university's selectivity and prestige. Starting at $53,148, graduates earn slightly more than the typical Ohio economics major, landing in the 60th percentile statewide—but they trail programs at John Carroll, Oberlin, and even large public universities like Cincinnati by significant margins. For a school with a 29% acceptance rate and 1501 average SAT, this performance suggests the economics degree doesn't carry the same weight as some of CWRU's STEM-focused programs.

The financial picture is more favorable than the earnings suggest. With median debt of just $25,949 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, graduates avoid the burden that hampers many liberal arts majors. That debt level sits in the 19th percentile nationally—meaning it's lower than 81% of economics programs nationwide—which provides meaningful breathing room early in graduates' careers. The 21% earnings growth to $64,148 by year four also indicates decent career progression, even if the starting point is unspectacular.

Fair warning: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary substantially. But if your child is choosing between CWRU and other Ohio privates for economics specifically, the numbers don't support paying a premium here. The manageable debt keeps this from being a bad choice, just not a standout one.