Economics at Houghton University

Comparable economics programs in New York suggest first-year earnings around $50,000—right at the state median—paired with an estimated $25,000 in debt. That 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory, though it's worth noting the debt estimate runs slightly higher than what other New York economics programs typically produce ($21,550 median). The practical reality: your child would likely face monthly loan payments around $280 on a standard 10-year plan, consuming roughly 7% of gross monthly income.

The uncertainty here matters more than usual. Economics programs in New York span an enormous range—from Cornell and Columbia graduates earning over $80,000 to programs producing half that. Without actual graduate outcomes from Houghton specifically, you're betting that this small liberal arts college's economics program performs similarly to the state's middle-tier programs. The 93% admission rate and modest average SAT suggest Houghton serves a different student population than the elite programs dominating New York's economics rankings, which could affect both networking opportunities and recruiting pipelines that often drive economics graduates' earning potential.

The numbers pencil out if the estimates hold, but you're working with considerably less certainty than you would at schools with published outcomes. Ask Houghton directly about where recent economics graduates have landed—employer names, job titles, and actual starting salaries would help validate whether these peer-based projections reflect their students' real-world results.