Economics at Niagara University

Peer economics programs across New York suggest first-year earnings around $50,000—a figure that would place this program squarely at the state median, though well behind elite institutions like Barnard and Cornell where graduates start above $80,000. The estimated $25,000 debt load sits slightly above both state and national medians for economics degrees, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50. This means comparable programs typically saddle graduates with debt equal to half their first-year salary—manageable by most standards, but not exceptional given economics' reputation as a financially practical major.

What complicates the assessment here is that we're working entirely from estimates derived from similar programs, since Niagara's own graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to publish. The actual outcomes could be better or worse than these peer benchmarks suggest. Economics degrees generally provide solid earning potential and reasonable debt burdens, but the $50,000 starting point—if accurate—means graduates won't see the premium often associated with the field. For a family evaluating an 85% admission rate school with moderate selectivity, this estimated financial picture suggests adequate but unspectacular returns, especially when debt approaches $25,000. You'll want to understand whether Niagara's placement record and alumni network can deliver results that beat these state averages before committing.