Analysis
South Carolina's economics programs cluster tightly around $48,000 in first-year earnings, and Converse appears positioned right in that range based on peer institutions. With estimated debt of $24,100—nearly identical to the state median—the 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could manage repayment within standard timelines. However, it's worth noting that this figure trails the national economics median by about $3,500, reflecting either regional salary differences or variations in program strength across the state.
The estimation here matters because Converse's actual outcomes remain unknown due to small graduate cohorts in this major. The three comparable South Carolina programs show a $10,000 spread between Furman's top performers and Clemson's lower earners, meaning your student could land anywhere in that range depending on the program's actual quality and their post-graduation plans. Economics degrees typically open doors to finance, consulting, and analytics roles, but at a 64% admission rate school serving 41% Pell-eligible students, career services strength and alumni networks become crucial differentiators that aren't captured in these estimates.
If your child is certain about economics and committed to Converse for other reasons—campus culture, financial aid package, or location—these numbers don't raise red flags. But given the uncertainty, you'd want concrete answers about internship placement rates, recruiting relationships with regional employers, and where recent graduates actually landed jobs before banking on outcomes matching the state average.
Where Converse University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (13 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23,096 | $48,149* | — | $24,102* | — | |
| $58,312 | $55,615* | — | $24,125* | 0.43 | |
| $12,688 | $48,149* | $57,679 | $24,062* | 0.50 | |
| $15,554 | $45,075* | $55,077 | $22,250* | 0.49 | |
| National Median | — | $51,722* | — | $22,816* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Converse University, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in SC. Actual outcomes may vary.