Economics at University of Arizona

University of Arizona economics graduates start below both state and national benchmarks at $47,908, but the 31% earnings jump to $62,527 by year four suggests the degree's value materializes with experience rather than immediately. This puts graduates behind Arizona State's economics programs early on, but the strong mid-career trajectory narrows that gap considerably. Among Arizona's limited economics options, this ranks middle-of-the-pack for starting pay but shows promising momentum.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $19,610, graduates carry notably less than the national median of $22,816 and just slightly more than Arizona's median. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, most graduates should manage repayment comfortably even during those lower-earning first years. The moderate sample size means these figures represent real outcomes, though they may shift somewhat year to year.

For families, this program works if you're comfortable with patience—your student will likely earn less than peers at ASU initially but should catch up within a few years. The manageable debt load makes this reasonable, especially for in-state students paying lower tuition. If your child needs higher immediate earnings to cover living expenses or aggressive loan repayment, the other Arizona programs might be safer bets.