Economics at St Lawrence University

St. Lawrence's economics program produces graduates earning more than the typical economics major in New York while maintaining below-average debt—a combination that's harder to achieve than it might sound. First-year earnings of $57,829 beat both the national median by $6,100 and the state median by nearly $8,000, placing graduates in the top 40% among New York's economics programs.

The $26,000 median debt translates to manageable monthly payments, roughly $267 over ten years. That's less than half of first-month earnings, meaning graduates aren't forced to chase higher salaries just to service their loans. The 17% earnings growth by year four suggests these Canton grads are gaining traction in their careers, not just treading water.

Context matters here: this isn't Barnard or Cornell money, where economics grads start near $85,000. But St. Lawrence costs substantially less to attend, charges a 58% admission rate versus single-digit selectivity at those schools, and still delivers outcomes that outpace three-quarters of economics programs nationwide. For families weighing a private liberal arts education against public alternatives, this program demonstrates you don't need an Ivy League address to launch a solid economics career—particularly if avoiding heavy debt is part of your calculus.