Economics at Saint Mary's College

Similar economics programs across Indiana suggest first-year earnings around $58,000—a solid start that positions graduates slightly above the national median for this degree. Saint Mary's College appears to track with the broader state average, though it's worth noting that Notre Dame and DePauw graduates earn considerably more. The $26,900 in estimated debt, based on comparable Catholic colleges in Indiana, creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, meaning graduates would owe roughly half of what they earn in their first year.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Because Saint Mary's has a small number of economics graduates, the Department of Education suppresses their actual outcomes data. The estimates we're using reflect what happens at peer programs—similar schools offering the same degree in Indiana—but they can't tell you specifically how Saint Mary's alumni fare in the job market. That gap matters when you're comparing a school with an 81% admission rate to nearby competitors like Notre Dame or Purdue, where reported outcomes show substantially higher earnings.

If your daughter is drawn to Saint Mary's for reasons beyond the economics degree—perhaps its size, community, or specific faculty—the estimated numbers suggest reasonable financial prospects. But if economics outcomes are the primary consideration, you'd want direct conversations with the department about internship pipelines and recent graduate placements before committing.