Analysis
Economics programs in Florida show a tight clustering around $47,000 in first-year earnings, and Jacksonville University's estimated outcomes land right in that range. Based on comparable programs in the state, graduates here appear to earn roughly what peers do at larger public universities like UCF and USF, though about $7,000 less than what Economics majors at The University of Tampa report making. The estimated $26,000 in debt sits above Florida's typical $21,500 for Economics degrees, which matters when you're starting around the state median salary.
The 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning roughly half a year's salary in loans—falls within manageable territory, especially for a field where earnings typically grow substantially beyond the first year. What's less certain is whether Jacksonville University specifically delivers the same trajectory as these peer programs suggest. Economics degrees can lead to financial services, consulting, or analytics roles, but placement success varies significantly by school network and internship pipelines.
Without actual outcomes data from this specific program, you're essentially betting that Jacksonville University's smaller size and different institutional profile will produce similar results to the state average. If your child has strong offers from Florida's public universities—which report actual data in this range—those might offer more certainty at potentially lower cost. If Jacksonville's smaller classes or location matter for other reasons, the estimated numbers don't raise red flags, but recognize you're working with educated guesswork rather than proven track record.
Where Jacksonville University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (23 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,180 | $47,304* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $33,424 | $54,284* | — | $27,000* | 0.50 | |
| $4,879 | $48,632* | $56,091 | $25,111* | 0.52 | |
| $6,368 | $47,743* | — | $25,750* | 0.54 | |
| $6,410 | $47,351* | $54,558 | $22,925* | 0.48 | |
| $6,118 | $47,344* | — | $12,754* | 0.27 | |
| National Median | — | $51,722* | — | $22,816* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Jacksonville University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 11 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.