Economics at Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State produces economics graduates earning $50,690 in their first year—solidly middle-of-the-pack nationally but landing at the 60th percentile among Kansas programs. That's competitive within the state, especially when you consider Kansas State's graduates only earn about $2,000 more. The estimated debt load of $21,650, based on typical borrowing patterns at similar institutions, translates to a 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary.

The concern here isn't the debt burden, which is manageable. It's whether economics from a regional Kansas university opens enough doors to justify four years of study. First-year earnings of around $51,000 aren't poor, but they're not exceptional either, and the actual outcomes for Fort Hays specifically remain unknown due to limited graduate data. Economics can be a versatile degree, but much depends on whether students leverage it into roles in finance, analysis, or policy—or whether they drift into general business positions that might not require the quantitative rigor.

For Kansas families, this program offers reasonable value if your student plans to stay in-state and can graduate near the estimated debt level. The borrowing burden won't be crushing, and the earnings put graduates in better position than most Kansas programs. Just recognize you're working with estimates here, and individual outcomes will vary significantly based on internships, additional skills, and career direction.