Economics at Southeast Missouri State University

Based on comparable economics programs in Missouri, Southeast Missouri State's graduates can expect first-year earnings around $46,600—right at the state median but trailing the national benchmark by roughly $5,000. The estimated $21,400 in debt is manageable, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 that suggests graduates could reasonably pay down loans within a few years of starting their careers.

What's less certain is where this program sits within Southeast Missouri State's own outcomes landscape. The figures here come from peer institutions across the state, not tracked alumni from this specific program, because the graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish. Similar programs in Missouri produce a wide range—from $41,000 at University of Central Missouri to over $66,000 at Washington University—so there's considerable variation depending on the institution's network, curriculum focus, and student preparation.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable but not exceptional returns. The debt load won't be crushing, but the earnings trajectory compared to flagship programs like Mizzler-Columbia (which reports $52,600) raises questions about whether this smaller economics program provides comparable professional pathways. If your child is committed to staying local and values the smaller campus environment, these estimates indicate the financial fundamentals could work—just understand you're making that decision with limited visibility into this program's actual track record.