Economics at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

With economics graduates from comparable Tennessee programs starting around $58,000, this bachelor's degree positions graduates near the top of the national range for the field. That estimated first-year figure exceeds both the national median ($51,722) and matches the state median, suggesting UTC's program competes effectively with peer institutions despite the university's accessible 77% admission rate. The estimated $21,650 debt load translates to a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio—well below the warning threshold of 1.0.

The earnings trajectory deserves scrutiny, though. By year four, median earnings drop to $49,196, a pattern that's unusual but not unheard of in economics programs where some graduates pursue further education or shift career paths. Still, even this lower figure keeps pace with the national benchmark and represents achievable monthly debt payments on the estimated loan balance.

For families weighing this investment, the fundamentals look sound based on what similar programs deliver. The debt burden appears reasonable relative to likely starting salaries, and UTC's accessibility makes it a realistic option for Tennessee families. Just remember these figures reflect peer programs rather than UTC's specific outcomes—the actual graduate pool here may be too small to generate published data. If economics is the goal and staying in-state matters, this program appears positioned to deliver competitive returns without excessive debt.