Analysis
Thomas More's economics program carries an estimated $24,102 in debt—slightly below what similar economics programs produce nationally—while comparable Kentucky programs suggest first-year earnings around $51,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates would owe roughly half their first year's salary, a manageable threshold by traditional standards.
The estimated earnings align almost exactly with Kentucky's median for economics degrees, putting this program in the middle of the pack statewide. Western Kentucky's reported outcomes show graduates earning about $3,000 more annually, while University of Kentucky's economics majors surprisingly report lower starting salaries despite the flagship institution's name recognition. With a 97% admission rate and solid but not exceptional test scores, Thomas More serves a broader student population than some competitors, which may explain why the school draws from peer benchmarks rather than having sufficient graduate data to report.
For families considering this path, the fundamental economics proposition looks sound based on these estimates: borrowing $24,000 to access a career starting around $51,000 provides breathing room in those critical early years. The real question is whether Thomas More's specific outcomes will match these peer-based projections, something only time and more graduate data will reveal. If your child thrives in smaller settings and values the personal attention a 97% acceptance rate often enables, this could work—just recognize you're making this decision with informed guesswork rather than hard proof of this program's track record.
Where Thomas More University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,400 | $51,077* | — | $24,102* | — | |
| $11,436 | $53,857* | $55,446 | $19,500* | 0.36 | |
| $50,550 | $51,077* | $67,177 | $27,000* | 0.53 | |
| $13,212 | $41,713* | $55,856 | $26,942* | 0.65 | |
| 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 Thomas More University, approximately 22% 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 3 similar programs in KY. Actual outcomes may vary.