Economics at Dickinson College

Dickinson College's economics program delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid liberal arts college—middling starting salaries that grow steadily, with manageable debt. At $53,990 in year one, graduates earn slightly above both national and Pennsylvania medians, landing in the 60th percentile statewide. More importantly, earnings climb to $67,032 by year four, a 24% increase that suggests the degree opens doors even if the initial placement isn't spectacular.

The $19,000 median debt is the real advantage here, coming in well below Pennsylvania's $25,782 median for economics programs. That 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe just over a third of their first-year salary—a comfortable position that beats many peer institutions. However, it's worth noting that Dickinson's outcomes trail significantly behind Pennsylvania's elite programs. Penn and Carnegie Mellon graduates earn nearly double straight out of college, while even Bucknell—a comparable liberal arts school—produces $71,000 starters.

For families prioritizing a balanced risk-reward profile, Dickinson works. The debt is reasonable, earnings growth is solid, and graduates aren't trapped in low-wage positions. But if your child is competitive enough to gain admission to Pennsylvania's top-tier programs, those schools offer substantially better economic returns that would likely justify their higher costs. Dickinson is a safe choice, not an ambitious one.