Economics at Union College

Union College economics graduates earn $85,922 four years out—placing them in the 80th percentile among New York's 74 economics programs and well above both the state median ($50,058) and national median ($51,722). This is notable because while the school charges selective-college tuition (average SAT 1410), graduates are landing in the top tier of outcomes alongside Ivy League and elite liberal arts peers like Cornell and Vassar. The $27,000 median debt is actually lower than both state and national benchmarks, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 that's quite manageable.

The earnings trajectory looks particularly strong—37% growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are advancing into better roles rather than plateauing early. First-year earnings of $62,846 already exceed what most economics majors nationally will earn, and by year four, graduates are approaching six figures. The combination of low debt and high earnings puts this program among the more financially sound economics degrees in New York.

For families weighing Union's price tag, the data suggests it delivers: graduates compete economically with those from far more selective institutions while carrying reasonable debt loads. This represents a solid investment for a student interested in economics who can gain admission.