Economics at Drake University

Drake's Economics program sits in uncertain territory with first-year earnings around $49,314 (based on comparable Iowa programs) against an estimated $24,102 in debt. That 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could theoretically pay off loans within a year of post-graduation income, which appears manageable on paper. However, the actual outcomes for Drake's specific program remain unknown due to insufficient graduate sample sizes—meaning these estimates could miss important program-specific strengths or weaknesses.

The challenge here is that Iowa's economics programs show considerable variation. Iowa State graduates report earning $57,619 their first year—nearly $8,000 more than the state median Drake's estimate is based on—while Coe College graduates start around $42,311. Drake's selectivity (SAT average of 1288, 64% admission rate) and relatively low Pell grant population (21%) suggest it serves a more traditional, financially stable student body, but whether that translates to stronger employment outcomes than peer programs isn't clear from estimated figures.

For parents evaluating this investment, the estimated debt load is reasonable but the earnings picture lacks certainty. If Drake's actual outcomes align with Iowa State's, this becomes a solid choice; if they're closer to smaller liberal arts colleges in the state, the value proposition weakens. Without program-specific data, you're essentially betting on Drake's career services, alumni network, and reputation to deliver results that justify private school pricing.