Economics at Saint Edward's University

With an estimated debt load of $19,500 and first-year earnings around $51,000 based on comparable Texas economics programs, Saint Edward's appears positioned right in the middle of the state's range. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means graduates would be looking at manageable monthly payments—roughly what you'd expect for a solid liberal arts program in Austin, though notably below the elite outcomes at Rice or UT Austin.

The challenge here is that these figures come from peer programs across Texas, not Saint Edward's own graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty in projecting your child's specific outcome. What we do know is that economics majors statewide typically earn around this $51,000 mark their first year out, clustering near the national median. For a school with an 84% admission rate and nearly 40% of students on Pell grants, that suggests reasonable economic mobility without the debt burden that often comes with private universities.

The practical reality: if your child can graduate with debt near this $19,500 estimate, they'd likely owe around $200-250 monthly on standard repayment—about 6% of estimated gross income. That's a workable number for most economics graduates. Just keep in mind that individual outcomes vary widely, and being in Austin could mean higher living costs post-graduation that eat into those earnings. The relatively accessible admission profile suggests this program serves students well without requiring perfect academic credentials.