Economics at Central Washington University

Central Washington University's economics program punches above its weight for an open-access institution. Starting salaries of $52,129 land slightly above the national median, but the real story is the trajectory: graduates see 31% earnings growth within four years, reaching $68,051—well ahead of typical economics majors both nationally and statewide. Within Washington, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only the state's more selective schools.

The financial picture is unusually favorable. At $15,000 in median debt—roughly a third of the national norm for economics programs—students graduate with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.29. That means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than four months of gross pay, giving them financial flexibility that most economics majors don't have. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings growth creates a particularly strong return on investment.

For parents weighing options, this represents solid value: respectable starting salaries that improve significantly with experience, minimal debt burden, and performance that holds its own against Washington's more prestigious programs. The 90% admission rate means accessibility doesn't come at the expense of outcomes here.