Economics at Denison University

Denison's economics graduates see their earnings jump 27% within four years, reaching nearly $70,000—a trajectory that outpaces many Ohio peers. Starting at $55,087 puts this program solidly above both state and national medians for economics degrees, ranking around the 60th percentile in Ohio among 42 competing programs. While that's respectable, the first-year number trails smaller liberal arts rivals like Oberlin and Kenyon by several thousand dollars.

The financial structure here works in students' favor. With median debt of just $24,102—below both state and national averages—graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44. That means debt equals roughly five months of gross income, well within the standard affordability threshold. For context, Denison's 17% admission rate and 1395 average SAT suggest this program serves high-achieving students who likely benefit from strong alumni networks and career placement support.

The tradeoff is clear: you're not getting top-tier Ohio economics earnings (John Carroll leads at $65,000), but you're getting solid performance with limited debt exposure. The strong earnings growth suggests Denison graduates gain traction in the job market as they build experience. For families concerned about balancing prestige with practical outcomes, this represents a reasonable middle ground in Ohio's competitive liberal arts landscape.