Economics at Pace University

Pace University's economics degree catches up fast—that 64% earnings jump from year one to year four suggests graduates gain valuable traction in New York's competitive job market. While starting salaries land right at the national median ($51,426 vs. $51,722), by year four graduates are earning $84,209, outpacing 60% of economics programs across New York state. That's a significant achievement given the program costs less in debt ($25,937) than the state median.

The debt picture is notably favorable: at just 50% of first-year earnings, graduates carry manageable loans that sit in the 19th percentile nationally—meaning 81% of economics programs leave students with heavier debt burdens. For a program with a 77% admission rate in expensive New York City, this combination of accessibility and relatively low debt load stands out.

The trajectory tells the real story here. Pace grads might start behind elite programs like Barnard or Cornell, but that substantial four-year growth suggests the program effectively prepares students for career advancement in finance, consulting, or business roles where New York offers unique opportunities. An anxious parent should feel reasonably confident: their child would exit with modest debt and strong potential to match earnings from far more selective schools within a few years of graduation.