Economics at Oglethorpe University

Based on comparable economics programs in Georgia, Oglethorpe graduates can expect to earn around $45,000 in their first year—right at the state median but trailing the national benchmark by about $6,500. The estimated $27,000 debt load, while manageable at a 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio, means nearly seven months of gross income dedicated to educational borrowing. This sits slightly above the national median debt for economics majors, which suggests the program may be priced at a premium relative to typical outcomes for the field.

The competitive landscape in Atlanta matters here. Emory economics graduates earn nearly 60% more in their first year, and even Georgia State—a much larger public institution—produces similar earnings with presumably lower costs for in-state students. Oglethorpe's smaller cohorts (necessitating these estimates) might offer advantages in personal attention, but the data suggests they don't translate into a first-year earnings premium that justifies the private school price tag.

For an anxious parent weighing this decision, the question is whether Oglethorpe's distinctive environment is worth paying private school rates for public-school-level earnings. The debt itself won't be crushing, but the estimated returns don't suggest this particular economics program offers meaningful financial advantages over less expensive Georgia alternatives that produce comparable—or in some cases, better—outcomes.