Economics at Clark University

Clark University's Economics program shows an unusual earnings pattern that deserves scrutiny, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers may not tell the full story. First-year earnings of just $34,023 place graduates in the bottom 10% both nationally and among Massachusetts economics programs—well below the state median of $57,299. However, by year four, earnings jump to $81,309, surpassing both the national median ($51,722) and state median. This 139% increase is dramatic, but the question is what's driving it: delayed career launches, graduate school, or statistical noise from tracking just a few dozen graduates?

The $27,000 debt burden is manageable relative to that fourth-year salary, and the initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 looks reasonable on paper. But parents should recognize that first year after graduation may be financially tight. For context, elite Massachusetts programs like Harvard ($104,000) and Amherst ($90,568) deliver much stronger outcomes from day one, though Clark's eventual earnings do catch up to respectable levels.

The takeaway: This program's value hinges entirely on whether that fourth-year earnings jump is real and repeatable. If your student can weather a potentially challenging first year financially—perhaps with family support or by living at home—the long-term outcome appears solid. But given the tiny sample size and weak initial placement, families should request more detailed employment data from Clark before committing.