Economics at Olivet Nazarene University

Olivet Nazarene's economics program delivers something genuinely useful: above-average earnings with exceptionally low debt. At $54,169 in first-year earnings, graduates edge past both the national median ($51,722) and notably outpace Illinois's state median of $47,048—placing them in the 60th percentile among state economics programs. More importantly, the $27,000 median debt sits in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of economics programs leave students with heavier loan burdens.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 is where this becomes particularly attractive: graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary, which makes the monthly payment manageable while they establish themselves professionally. Compare this to programs at Northwestern or University of Chicago, which do produce higher earners but often come with substantially steeper price tags for families who don't qualify for significant aid. For a school with a 67% admission rate serving a solid share of Pell-eligible students, these outcomes suggest the program is doing right by its graduates.

The earnings gap between Olivet and Illinois's top-tier programs is real—there's a $30,000+ difference compared to U of I Urbana-Champaign—but you're also comparing different career trajectories and likely graduate school rates. For families prioritizing a manageable four-year investment that leads to stable employment, this program accomplishes exactly that without the financial stress that can derail young professionals.