Economics at Marymount University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 sits comfortably within manageable territory, though it's worth noting that both figures here—approximately $54,600 in first-year earnings and $23,400 in debt—come from comparable economics programs in Virginia rather than Marymount's own graduate outcomes. The school hasn't enrolled enough economics graduates for the Department of Education to publish their actual results, which means you're making this decision with less certainty than you'd have at larger programs.

The estimated earnings align almost exactly with Virginia's median for economics bachelor's programs and edge slightly above the national figure of $51,700. That's solid positioning, though it's nowhere near the state's elite outcomes—UVA and Washington & Lee economics graduates start around $72,000-$75,000. The question is whether peer program estimates accurately reflect what Marymount specifically delivers given its 81% admission rate and primarily non-Pell student body.

If these estimates prove accurate, your child would need roughly five months of earnings to cover their debt—a reasonable starting point for a bachelor's degree. But the lack of actual data means you're betting on Marymount's outcomes matching the state's typical private school performance. If you can find recent alumni to talk with about their job placement experience, that firsthand information becomes especially valuable here.