Economics at Johnson & Wales University-Online

Based on four economics programs in Rhode Island, this online bachelor's degree appears to track close to the state median, with estimated first-year earnings around $60,700 and debt near $24,100. That 0.40 debt ratio suggests manageable repayment—roughly five months of gross income to cover the full loan balance. However, the wide earnings range among RI economics programs is striking: Brown tops $72,000 while URI sits at $43,400, showing that school reputation and network matter significantly in this field.

The online format here creates a unique value calculation. You're paying private university tuition (hence the $24,100 debt estimate, above the state median of $23,375) for a degree that might not carry the networking advantages of on-campus programs. Economics attracts consulting firms, financial institutions, and policy organizations—employers who often recruit heavily from specific campuses. Whether an online JWU credential opens those same doors remains uncertain given the suppressed graduate data.

The practical reality: if similar programs deliver $60,700 in first-year earnings, the debt load won't strangle your household budget. But with Brown and Providence College graduates earning 15-20% more right out of the gate, you'd want clear reasons why this online path serves your child's career plans better than alternatives—perhaps work-schedule flexibility or specific cost savings that aren't apparent in these estimates alone.