Analysis
Similar Economics programs in Tennessee suggest first-year earnings around $58,173—a figure that aligns with the state median and sits near the national 75th percentile for this major. Combined with an estimated $19,500 in debt (below both state and national benchmarks), this program appears positioned in the stronger half of Economics degrees nationally, though these estimates are drawn from peer institutions rather than Milligan's own graduates.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 indicates manageable repayment, with debt representing roughly four months of pre-tax earnings. Tennessee's Economics programs show considerable range—from Vanderbilt's $84,000+ to UT-Knoxville's $46,000—and Milligan's estimated profile lands in the middle tier alongside schools like Rhodes and University of the South. For a private institution with a 70% admission rate, this positioning suggests reasonable value, though parents should recognize the small graduate cohort means no school-specific outcome data exists.
The key question is whether Milligan's particular program strengths justify choosing it over state options with confirmed outcomes. If your student is drawn to Milligan's small-college environment and the estimated figures hold true, the financial picture looks workable. But given the uncertainty, it's worth requesting placement data directly from the school—where graduates actually land their first jobs often matters as much as the average salary.
Where Milligan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,350 | $58,173* | — | $19,500* | — | |
| $63,946 | $84,311* | $104,258 | $12,424* | 0.15 | |
| $53,698 | $58,532* | $65,318 | $24,798* | 0.42 | |
| $54,892 | $57,814* | — | $19,500* | 0.34 | |
| $13,484 | $46,302* | $65,281 | $21,650* | 0.47 | |
| 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 Milligan University, approximately 23% 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 4 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.