Economics at University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA's economics program delivers strong financial returns that significantly outpace national expectations, with first-year graduates earning $62,091—well above the national median of $51,722 and ranking in the 80th percentile nationally. However, among California's competitive economics programs, UCLA lands in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing elite private schools like Stanford ($98K) and Claremont McKenna ($89K) but still competing respectably with UC Berkeley's $80K median.

The debt picture is remarkably favorable, with graduates owing just $15,000 compared to the national median of $22,816. This creates an excellent debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, meaning graduates can theoretically pay off their loans with less than three months of their starting salary. The 31% earnings growth over four years suggests solid career trajectory, reaching $81,475 by year four.

For parents weighing UCLA's 9% admission rate against financial outcomes, this represents excellent value. Your child gets access to a prestigious UC education with minimal debt burden and earnings that substantially exceed national standards. While it may not match the elite private school premiums, the combination of strong earnings, low debt, and UCLA's brand recognition makes this a financially sound choice for economics students.