Economics at Saint Mary's College of California

Four years out, this program's graduates earn a robust $81,879—well above what first-year figures suggest. While initial earnings of around $51,000 align with California's economics median, that jump to over $80,000 by year four indicates strong career trajectory, even if we can't verify the exact starting point for Saint Mary's specifically. With estimated debt around $21,500, the financial picture looks manageable: you're looking at roughly five months of that fourth-year salary to cover what was borrowed.

The caveat here is real: both the starting salary and debt figures come from peer programs across California, not Saint Mary's own graduates. For context, economics programs in the state span an enormous range—from Stanford's $98,000 starters to Saint Mary's estimated $51,000—so program prestige and network clearly matter in this field. Saint Mary's 89% admission rate and modest Pell enrollment suggest a different student profile than Berkeley or the Claremont schools, which could influence both debt levels and early career outcomes.

That fourth-year number of nearly $82,000 is the strongest signal here. If accurate for Saint Mary's graduates, it suggests the program delivers solid mid-career value despite a potentially modest start. The reasonable debt load keeps the risk contained, but confirm those first-year placement outcomes directly with the school before committing.