Economics at Eastern Mennonite University

Economics programs across Virginia show a $20,000 spread in first-year outcomes, and based on comparable programs in the state, Eastern Mennonite graduates likely land somewhere in the middle of that range. The estimated $54,643 starting salary aligns with Virginia's median for economics degrees, though it trails the flagship state schools and elite private institutions by $10,000 to $20,000. That gap matters less if your student is avoiding the crushing debt loads that often accompany more prestigious programs.

The estimated $23,399 in debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43—low enough to be manageable on an economics graduate's salary. Monthly loan payments would consume roughly 5-6% of gross income, leaving room for living expenses and savings. This assumes steady employment in an economics-related field, which isn't guaranteed but is more accessible than in many liberal arts majors. The real question is whether Eastern Mennonite's open-admission model and smaller alumni network will provide adequate career support to help graduates land those $50,000+ positions.

Here's the practical reality: you're looking at estimates drawn from peer programs because this school graduates too few economics majors for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes. That small cohort size could mean limited on-campus recruiting and fewer established pathways into finance, consulting, or government roles where economics degrees typically lead. If your student thrives in smaller settings and plans to pursue graduate school or has strong personal networks, the moderate debt makes this workable. Otherwise, the larger Virginia public universities offer more documented track records at similar price points.