Analysis
Similar economics programs across Pennsylvania suggest a first-year salary around $53,400, which aligns with the state median for this field. That figure puts La Salle roughly on par with typical Pennsylvania economics outcomes—though it's worth noting this sits well below elite regional programs like Penn ($89,000) or Carnegie Mellon ($86,000). The estimated $26,400 in debt produces a manageable ratio of 0.49, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary.
The challenge with La Salle's program is that we're working entirely with estimates based on peer institutions rather than reported outcomes from the university itself. This happens when graduate cohorts are too small for the Department of Education to publish data, which makes it harder to know whether this particular program matches, exceeds, or falls short of state norms. The economics discipline itself tends to produce stable middle-income outcomes—nothing spectacular, but reasonably reliable employment prospects.
For families considering this investment, the debt load appears reasonable if earnings materialize as projected. However, the lack of program-specific data means you're essentially betting that La Salle will deliver results comparable to the average Pennsylvania economics program. If career outcomes or graduate school placement matter significantly, contact the department directly for employment data and consider how their curriculum and internship connections stack up against alternatives in the Philadelphia market.
Where La Salle University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (49 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,570 | $53,396* | — | $26,368* | — | |
| $66,104 | $89,097* | $125,816 | $14,000* | 0.16 | |
| $63,829 | $86,284* | $94,093 | $22,020* | 0.26 | |
| $62,412 | $76,944* | $105,566 | $19,500* | 0.25 | |
| $60,663 | $70,967* | $83,676 | $29,000* | 0.41 | |
| $64,772 | $70,946* | $79,134 | $25,888* | 0.36 | |
| 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 La Salle University, approximately 33% 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 22 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.