Economics at North Central College

North Central College's economics program won't produce the elite outcomes of nearby Northwestern or University of Chicago, but it delivers solidly above-average results at a debt level that makes the investment quite manageable. At $52,728 first-year out, graduates earn more than 60% of economics programs across Illinois and slightly better than the national median—respectable performance for a school with a 58% admission rate. More importantly, the typical graduate carries just $26,801 in debt, putting this program in the 8th percentile nationally for debt burden, which translates to a highly favorable 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio.

That debt figure deserves emphasis: students here are borrowing roughly $4,000 less than the national median for economics programs, while earning more than their peers nationwide. For families weighing options beyond the most selective Illinois schools, this program offers a practical path to a decent economics degree without the crushing debt that can limit career flexibility early on. The gap to top programs like Wheaton ($62,889) or UIUC ($58,921) exists but isn't insurmountable, especially when you factor in the lower borrowing.

The moderate sample size suggests steady program enrollment, and outcomes appear consistent. For a student who can get into North Central but not the state's most competitive programs, this represents a reasonable middle ground—solid earnings potential with debt that won't dominate their financial decisions for years after graduation.