Economics at Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins economics graduates earn $78,181 in their first year—about $20,000 more than the next-best Maryland school and 51% above the national median. With just $12,494 in typical debt, the financial equation here is exceptional. This program sits in the 95th percentile both nationally and within Maryland, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 means graduates can realistically pay off their loans in a matter of months rather than years.

The trajectory looks equally strong. By year four, median earnings climb to $108,040, representing 38% growth. Compare that to the much flatter earnings curves typical at other Maryland economics programs. That sustained momentum suggests Hopkins' combination of analytical rigor and Baltimore proximity to Washington, D.C. finance and policy jobs creates genuine career advantages, not just prestigious first placements.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual outcomes vary, but the core story remains clear: this is one of the most financially successful economics programs in the state, with debt levels that make it accessible even for families without substantial resources. The 8% admission rate is the real barrier here, not the debt burden afterward.