Economics at Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount's economics program shows exactly what parents hope to see: strong earnings momentum that transforms a modest starting salary into solid returns. While $53,206 in year one falls slightly below what elite California programs offer, graduates see 40% income growth by year four, reaching $74,490—a trajectory that outpaces most peers and suggests the degree opens doors that take a few years to fully unlock.

The debt picture is reasonable at $21,500, creating a manageable 0.40 ratio to first-year earnings. This is notably lower than California's typical debt load for economics programs ($16,805 median statewide, though LMU exceeds this). Among California's 55 economics programs, LMU ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings—respectable territory between the UC/elite private tier and less selective options. The moderate sample size means these figures reflect real but not extensive graduate data.

For a family weighing whether LMU's price tag justifies the economics degree, the answer hinges on trajectory over starting point. This isn't Berkeley's immediate $80,000+ launch, but graduates demonstrate clear career progression that validates the investment. The combination of manageable debt and earnings that nearly double in four years makes this a solid choice for students who value LMU's network and Los Angeles location, even if it won't match Stanford's $98,000 starting line.