Economics at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (16 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $58,173* | $49,196 | $21,650* | — |
| Vanderbilt University | $84,311* | $104,258 | $12,424* | 0.15 |
| The University of the South | $58,532* | $65,318 | $24,798* | 0.42 |
| Rhodes College | $57,814* | — | $19,500* | 0.34 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $46,302* | $65,281 | $21,650* | 0.47 |
| National Median | $51,722* | — | $22,816* | 0.44 |
Other Economics Programs in Tennessee
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Tennessee schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Nashville | $63,946 | $84,311 | $12,424 |
| The University of the South Sewanee | $53,698 | $58,532 | $24,798 |
| Rhodes College Memphis | $54,892 | $57,814 | $19,500 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville | $13,484 | $46,302 | $21,650 |
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 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, approximately 32% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.