Analysis
With an estimated debt of $26,368 against projected first-year earnings around $53,400, Robert Morris's economics program appears to track closely with typical Pennsylvania outcomes—putting graduates roughly at the state median for both metrics. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests manageable repayment, though these figures are drawn from comparable PA programs rather than Robert Morris's own graduate outcomes.
The challenge here is understanding where Robert Morris fits within Pennsylvania's economics landscape. The state's top programs—Penn, Carnegie Mellon, Swarthmore—place graduates at $70,000 to $89,000, while the median hovers around $53,000. With a 91% admission rate and relatively modest Pell enrollment, Robert Morris likely serves a different student population than these elite competitors, but without actual graduate data, it's unclear whether the school outperforms or underperforms that state median.
What matters most is that the estimated debt load appears reasonable relative to earning potential. A graduate earning $53,000 with $26,000 in debt can realistically manage those payments. But recognize you're making this decision based on peer program patterns, not verified outcomes from Robert Morris itself. Before committing, ask the school directly about their graduates' actual placement rates and starting salaries in economics—they should be able to provide more specific information than these statewide estimates offer.
Where Robert Morris University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (49 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $34,940 | $53,396* | — | $26,368* | — | |
| $66,104 | $89,097* | $125,816 | $14,000* | 0.16 | |
| $63,829 | $86,284* | $94,093 | $22,020* | 0.26 | |
| $62,412 | $76,944* | $105,566 | $19,500* | 0.25 | |
| $60,663 | $70,967* | $83,676 | $29,000* | 0.41 | |
| $64,772 | $70,946* | $79,134 | $25,888* | 0.36 | |
| National Median | — | $51,722* | — | $22,816* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Robert Morris University, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 22 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.