Economics at Occidental College

Occidental's Economics program delivers strong earnings at a price point that actually makes sense. First-year graduates earn $64,885—landing in the 80th percentile among California economics programs and well ahead of both the state median ($51,212) and national benchmark ($51,722). The debt load of $25,590 translates to a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can expect to pay off their loans in roughly five months of pre-tax earnings.

The trajectory here matters: earnings climb 17% to $75,699 by year four, putting graduates within striking distance of programs at schools with much lower admission rates. While this program sits below the state's elite tier—Stanford and Claremont McKenna grads earn significantly more—it outperforms UC Berkeley's median by nearly $9,000 at year four and costs less in student debt than most California competitors (23rd percentile nationally for debt).

For families weighing selective liberal arts colleges, this represents one of the clearer financial wins. The combination of above-average earnings growth and manageable debt load suggests Occidental's economics degree pays dividends without the financial stress that often accompanies private college tuition. The moderate sample size of 30-100 graduates adds some uncertainty, but the earnings advantage is substantial enough to inspire confidence.