Analysis
Spelman's economics graduates earn nearly 50% more than the typical Georgia economics major and outperform the national median by $8,000 annually—placing this program in the 80th percentile statewide. That's a remarkable outcome for a liberal arts college, with first-year earnings of $59,907 approaching those from Emory's program despite Emory's substantially higher costs and different institutional model.
The financial picture is equally compelling: at $27,000 in median debt, graduates face just 45% of their first-year salary in loans, well below the concerning threshold most experts cite. This debt burden sits near the bottom nationally (5th percentile), meaning 95% of economics programs leave students with more debt. Combined with 13% earnings growth by year four, graduates have both manageable payments and expanding income to work with.
The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests some year-to-year variation is possible, but the consistency of strong outcomes relative to both state and national peers indicates real institutional strength in placement. For families considering a women's college with serious economics preparation, Spelman delivers both the selectivity and network of a premium institution with a debt load that won't constrain post-graduation choices. This is one of Georgia's best-performing economics programs by any measure that matters.
Where Spelman College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Spelman College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spelman College | $59,907 | $67,871 | +13% |
| Emory University | $71,340 | $86,679 | +22% |
| Morehouse College | $40,726 | $83,743 | +106% |
| University of Georgia | $49,725 | $68,386 | +38% |
| Georgia State University | $40,598 | $62,063 | +53% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (16 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spelman CollegeAtlanta | $30,058 | $59,907 | $67,871 | $27,000 | 0.45 |
 Emory UniversityAtlanta | $60,774 | $71,340 | $86,679 | $21,000 | 0.29 |
 University of GeorgiaAthens | $11,180 | $49,725 | $68,386 | $16,924 | 0.34 |
 Morehouse CollegeAtlanta | $31,725 | $40,726 | $83,743 | $27,000 | 0.66 |
 Georgia State UniversityAtlanta | $8,478 | $40,598 | $62,063 | $28,500 | 0.70 |
 University of West GeorgiaCarrollton | $5,971 | $39,899 | $45,971 | $25,250 | 0.63 |
| National Median | — | $51,722 | — | $22,816 | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Spelman College, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 52 graduates with reported earnings and 56 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.