Economics at Drexel University

Drexel's Economics program punches well above its weight, delivering first-year earnings of nearly $71,000—dramatically higher than both the Pennsylvania median ($53,396) and the national benchmark ($51,722). At the 80th percentile among Pennsylvania economics programs, these graduates earn competitive salaries approaching those from elite institutions like Bucknell and Lafayette, despite Drexel's 78% admission rate making it far more accessible. The $29,000 in typical debt represents excellent value: graduates owe just 41 cents for every dollar earned in year one, and they're borrowing only slightly more than state and national medians while earning substantially more.

The program's strength likely reflects Drexel's signature co-op model, which cycles students through paid work experiences with Philadelphia employers. This translates to both immediate earnings power and healthy growth—salaries climb 18% to nearly $84,000 by year four. While Drexel trails Penn and Carnegie Mellon (as nearly everyone does), the earnings gap is far smaller than the admissions selectivity gap would suggest.

For families seeking strong return on investment without Ivy-level competition, this program delivers. Your child gets near-elite economics outcomes with manageable debt and a realistic admission prospect—an unusual combination in Pennsylvania's crowded higher education landscape.