Analysis
With estimated debt around $24,000 against first-year earnings near $51,000, Edgewood's economics program appears positioned right at the median for Wisconsin—but that's also where the uncertainty lies. The 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests a manageable financial start, though you're looking at estimates drawn from other Wisconsin economics programs rather than Edgewood's specific outcomes. The data suppression here stems from small graduate cohorts, which means fewer students are completing this degree annually than you'd see at larger state universities.
The earnings figure—hovering near both state and national medians—tells a fairly standard story for economics bachelor's degrees, which typically produce mid-$50,000 starting salaries. What's harder to gauge is whether Edgewood's particular approach to the major (class sizes, internship networks, placement support) matches the outcomes of the peer programs these estimates are based on. Wisconsin's flagship campus and regional universities with reported data show earnings ranging from $51,000 to nearly $58,000, suggesting the field itself is reasonably consistent across institutions but that school-specific factors still matter.
If your student is set on economics at a smaller college in Madison, these estimated numbers don't flash warning signs—the debt load is modest and the field tends toward stable employment. But recognize you're making this decision with borrowed data, so connecting with Edgewood's career services office to understand actual placement patterns for recent economics graduates would help fill in what the federal data can't.
Where Edgewood College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (21 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $34,850 | $51,344* | — | $23,718* | — | |
| $8,212 | $57,663* | — | $25,000* | 0.43 | |
| $11,205 | $54,495* | $69,594 | $20,750* | 0.38 | |
| $9,651 | $53,595* | $57,423 | $25,000* | 0.47 | |
| $44,432 | $53,350* | $66,245 | $27,000* | 0.51 | |
| $9,277 | $51,344* | $58,841 | $21,500* | 0.42 | |
| National Median | — | $51,722* | — | $22,816* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Edgewood College, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.