Economics at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga economics graduates start significantly behind their peers—earning $44,845 in year one puts them in just the 23rd percentile nationally and slightly below the Washington state median. However, this program's defining feature is what happens next: earnings jump 74% to nearly $78,000 by year four, catapulting graduates well above both state and national benchmarks for established workers.

The $22,500 debt load is reasonable, translating to a 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should manage even during the lean first year. Within Washington, this program sits right at the median for starting salaries but likely climbs much higher as graduates gain experience—though it never catches programs like Whitworth or UW-Seattle. The moderate sample size suggests these figures reflect a real cohort rather than outliers.

The tradeoff here is clear: accept a modest first job in exchange for strong mid-career trajectory. If your child needs to start paying bills immediately after graduation or doesn't plan to pursue the kinds of roles (likely finance, consulting, or analytics) where experience commands premium salaries, the weak starting earnings could be frustrating. But for students willing to build their career over several years, this program appears to deliver solid long-term value despite its unremarkable launch.