Economics at The University of the South

The University of the South's economics program delivers solid early earnings but operates in a competitive Tennessee landscape where it lands squarely in the middle of the pack. At $58,532 one year out, graduates earn above the national median for economics majors but trail Vanderbilt significantly and barely edge out Rhodes College. Within Tennessee's 16 economics programs, this places Sewanee at the 60th percentile—respectable but not exceptional given the institution's selective profile.

The financial fundamentals work in graduates' favor. With $24,798 in median debt producing a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, students face manageable loan burdens well below the national average. The 12% earnings growth to $65,318 by year four suggests graduates build momentum in their careers, though the moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual outcomes may vary more than these medians suggest.

For an anxious parent, the calculus depends on alternatives. If your child is choosing between Sewanee and UT-Knoxville at in-state tuition, Sewanee's $12,000 earnings advantage might justify the higher cost. But competing against Rhodes or targeting finance careers where Vanderbilt's network dominates? The numbers become less compelling. This program won't handicap your child's career prospects, but it doesn't offer the earnings premium you might expect from a school with Sewanee's 1336 average SAT and selective reputation.