Economics at Saint Ambrose University

An economics degree from Saint Ambrose sits in a difficult middle ground. Based on similar Iowa programs, graduates likely earn around $49,000 their first year—just below the national median for economics majors ($51,722) and well below what Iowa State produces ($57,619). Meanwhile, the estimated $24,000 in debt is actually slightly higher than both state and national benchmarks for this field. That 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it's not reassuring either when you're paying private school prices for outcomes that mirror public university results.

The comparison with other Iowa programs reveals the challenge here. Saint Ambrose's estimated outcomes trail the state's flagship universities while carrying comparable debt loads. For a selective major like economics—where first-year earnings typically differentiate strong programs from weak ones—landing near the state median suggests this program isn't opening the same doors as competitors. The limited actual data makes it impossible to know if Saint Ambrose's career services or alumni network compensate for these softer numbers.

Parents should recognize they're making this decision with significant uncertainty about actual outcomes. If your child has admission offers from Iowa's public universities, those programs appear to deliver similar or better earnings with potentially lower costs. Saint Ambrose might justify its value through smaller classes or individual attention, but the estimated earnings don't suggest those factors translate into measurably better career starts.