Economics at DeSales University

A $26,000 debt load for economics training that appears to track right at Pennsylvania's middle suggests this program delivers fairly standard outcomes. Based on comparable economics programs across the state, graduates typically start around $53,400—essentially matching both the state and national median for this degree. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, meaning the total borrowed equals roughly half of first-year income, which is manageable territory for most graduates.

The gap worth noting: Pennsylvania's top economics programs produce graduates earning $70,000 to $89,000 in their first year, suggesting significantly different career trajectories or employer access. DeSales's estimated outcomes sit firmly in the middle of the pack among the state's 49 economics programs. Whether that middle ground represents solid value depends heavily on your specific career plans—economics degrees can lead to vastly different paths, from financial analysis to graduate school preparation, and not all require credentials from a top-tier program.

Given that both earnings and debt figures here are estimates based on peer programs rather than DeSales's actual graduate outcomes, verify what the school's economics graduates are actually doing. Ask about internship placements, employer relationships in the Lehigh Valley region, and grad school acceptance rates. The estimated numbers suggest neither a bargain nor a red flag, but with such limited data available, you need school-specific evidence that this particular program delivers on its modest cost.