Economics at University of California-Riverside

UC Riverside's economics program starts rough but tells a recovery story—graduates earn just $37,149 in their first year, landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally and bottom quarter among California's 55 economics programs. That's $14,000 below the state median and dramatically trails elite programs like Berkeley ($80,446) or Stanford ($98,104). However, by year four, earnings jump 52% to $56,595, essentially closing the gap with both state and national benchmarks.

The modest $18,500 debt load is notably lower than the national median ($22,816), creating a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio even in that difficult first year. This matters especially for UCR's student body—47% receive Pell grants, meaning many come from families where every dollar of debt counts. The combination of UC-caliber education and relatively controlled borrowing provides crucial breathing room during the lean early years.

The real question is what drives that first-year lag. UCR graduates may be taking longer to find economics-related work, or the Inland Empire job market may offer fewer immediate opportunities than coastal California metros. If your child plans to relocate to a stronger job market immediately after graduation, this program becomes more compelling. If they'll stay local initially, budget carefully for those first couple of years—but recognize the trajectory ultimately gets them to a competitive place without crushing debt.