Economics at Northeastern University

Northeastern's economics program launches graduates into the job market earning $70,531—well above the national median of $51,722 and outperforming 93% of economics programs nationwide. That's impressive until you consider the Massachusetts context: among Bay State economics programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, trailing not just the Ivy-caliber schools but also regional competitors like Tufts and several liberal arts colleges. For a highly selective program (6% admission rate, 1505 average SAT), these returns suggest students are paying more for the co-op model and brand than for economic mobility that dramatically exceeds what's available at other strong Massachusetts universities.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,500—essentially matching the state median and creating a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates see solid 16% earnings growth to $81,504 by year four, indicating the Northeastern network and co-op connections do provide career acceleration. The question for Massachusetts families is whether these outcomes justify the school's premium tuition when UMass Amherst or other state options might deliver comparable economics training at lower cost.

Bottom line: This program works—graduates earn well and manage their debt—but it doesn't provide the standout advantage you might expect from such a selective institution. For students who would attend at in-state tuition elsewhere, the math gets harder to justify.