Economics at Saint Johns University

Saint John's economics graduates start around $55,000 but see their earnings jump to $73,000 by year four—a 33% gain that significantly outpaces typical career progression for this major. While first-year earnings trail the Minnesota median by about $2,000, that strong upward trajectory suggests the program equips students with skills that employers increasingly value. The debt load of $27,000 is modest and manageable, with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.50 that ranks in the top 5% nationally for debt burden.

The catch is that Saint John's sits in the 40th percentile among Minnesota economics programs, placing it squarely in the middle of a competitive state field. You're paying more upfront than the state median debt ($24,600) while starting below rivals like St. Thomas ($60,323) and the University of Minnesota ($56,902). However, that earnings growth rate matters—by year four, Saint John's grads have nearly closed the gap with many competitors and are earning well above the national benchmark.

For families comfortable with Minnesota's liberal arts college environment and a slightly slower financial start, this program delivers solid long-term returns. The combination of low debt and strong earnings growth creates a favorable financial outlook, even if it takes graduates a few years to hit their stride compared to peers at the state's most selective schools.