Economics at Tulane University of Louisiana

Tulane economics graduates start behind the curve but catch up fast. While first-year earnings of $46,386 trail the national economics median by about $5,000, four-year earnings jump to $77,364—a 67% increase that puts graduates well above typical economics degree holders. This earnings trajectory suggests Tulane students are landing in competitive fields where early-career advancement matters more than starting salary.

The state context tells an interesting story: among Louisiana's limited economics programs, Tulane sits at the 60th percentile despite ranking only 29th nationally. This reflects Louisiana's weaker overall earnings landscape rather than program quality—Tulane students appear to be the highest earners in the state, competing with just three other programs. The $19,500 debt load is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one that becomes increasingly favorable as salaries rise.

The challenge is that first year out: $46,386 is modest for a highly selective school (15% admission rate, 1443 SAT average). But if your child can weather lower starting pay—perhaps through family support or by living in a lower-cost city than New Orleans—the four-year numbers justify the investment. This appears to be a program for students targeting finance, consulting, or grad school, where the real payoff comes after proving yourself.