Economics at Hobart William Smith Colleges

Hobart William Smith's economics program punches above its weight for a selective liberal arts college, but that strong performance comes with a price tag worth scrutinizing. First-year graduates earn $62,000—about 20% more than the typical economics grad nationally and roughly $12,000 more than the New York state median. That places this program in the 80th percentile nationally, though it slots into the middle tier (60th percentile) among New York's competitive economics programs, trailing the Ivy-adjacent schools but outpacing most SUNY options.

The debt picture is unusually favorable. At $27,000, graduates carry just slightly more than the national median, yet this represents the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of economics programs saddle students with more debt relative to their outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 is quite manageable, and earnings climb a healthy 24% by year four to over $76,500. That growth trajectory suggests the degree opens doors beyond entry-level positions.

For families weighing a private liberal arts education in New York, this program delivers solid returns without the crushing debt often associated with similar institutions. You're not getting Ivy League earnings, but you're also not taking on Ivy League debt, and the gap narrows considerably when you factor in the school's 57% admission rate making it more accessible. The moderate sample size means some caution is warranted, but the fundamentals point to a program that justifies its investment.