Economics at Hamline University

Minnesota economics programs show substantial variation in early outcomes, with top performers like Carleton and St. Catherine exceeding $64,000 while the state median sits at $56,570. Based on that median—drawn from 10 comparable programs across Minnesota—Hamline's economics degree appears to track right at the middle of the pack. That's a reasonable starting point for a liberal arts economics program, though it falls short of what peers like St. Thomas and Macalester typically deliver.

The estimated debt load of $25,800 creates a manageable ratio of 0.46 to first-year earnings, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first year's salary. This is workable territory—not the bargain-basement efficiency of programs charging under $20,000, but far from problematic. The real question is whether Hamline's economics curriculum and network justify positioning at the median when several Twin Cities competitors are producing noticeably stronger outcomes.

For families evaluating this program, the uncertainty around these estimates matters. Without actual graduate data, you're essentially betting that Hamline performs like the average Minnesota economics program. Given the school's 90% admission rate and accessibility mission (40% Pell recipients), that assumption may be conservative. If your student needs a supportive environment and economics genuinely fits their interests, this debt-to-earnings picture suggests viability. But if prestige or maximizing early earnings drives the decision, the programs ranking above Hamline in Minnesota deserve direct comparison.