Economics at Truman State University

Based on comparable economics programs across Missouri, graduates from Truman State can expect to earn around $46,600 in their first year—right in line with the state median but noticeably below the $51,700 national benchmark for bachelor's-level economists. The estimated $21,400 in debt produces a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio, though it's worth noting this sits slightly above the state median debt of $19,800 for similar programs.

The real question is whether Truman's strong academic profile (average SAT of 1249) translates into employment outcomes that justify choosing it over Missouri's flagship. Washington University crushes all competitors at $66,300, while Mizzou-Columbia delivers $52,600—both substantially higher than what peer programs suggest for Truman. Given that Truman's estimates are derived from a small sample of Missouri economics programs, the school could perform better or worse than these figures indicate, but parents should recognize they're choosing a program without verified outcomes data.

For families prioritizing affordability with reasonable debt, Truman checks that box. But if maximizing early-career earnings matters—and for economics majors heading toward finance or consulting, it often does—the estimated figures suggest looking closely at programs with documented track records of placing graduates into higher-paying positions. The lack of reported data here isn't a red flag about the program's quality, but it does mean you're betting on a school's reputation rather than verified results.