Economics at Emory & Henry University

With $23,400 in estimated debt and first-year earnings around $54,600, this economics program appears to align closely with Virginia's median outcomes for the field—a manageable debt load that graduates could reasonably handle. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 suggests borrowers would owe less than half their annual salary, putting them in position to pay down debt within a few years while covering living expenses.

However, these figures come from similar programs across Virginia, not from tracking Emory & Henry's actual graduates. The state's economics programs show enormous variation—top earners at UVA and Washington & Lee command salaries 30-40% higher than the state median. Where a small liberal arts college in rural Southwest Virginia fits within that range remains unknown. The school's 96% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest it serves a different student population than Virginia's flagship institutions, which could affect both career networks and employer recruiting patterns.

The estimated debt is reasonable, and comparable Virginia programs suggest economics majors generally find decent-paying work. But without actual outcomes data, you're betting on a regional pattern holding true for a specific school. If your child is choosing between this and larger programs with transparent track records, consider whether that uncertainty matters given their career goals and the availability of economic and finance opportunities in the Emory area versus urban centers.