Economics at University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder's economics program starts graduates at the national median but shows impressive momentum afterward, with earnings jumping 28% to nearly $66,000 by year four. That growth trajectory outpaces what you'll see at most economics programs and suggests graduates are landing roles with genuine advancement potential—not just entry-level positions with nowhere to go.

The manageable $17,119 debt load is the real differentiator here. At roughly one-third of first-year earnings, it's far below the national median of $22,816 for economics programs. Combined with that strong earnings growth, you're looking at debt that becomes progressively easier to manage rather than an albatross. Among Colorado's 13 economics programs, Boulder ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while keeping debt well below the state median—a solid combination for an accessible public university (83% admission rate).

The program trails Colorado College and UC Denver in immediate post-graduation earnings, but that $14,000 gap at year one shrinks considerably by year four as Boulder grads hit their stride. For families weighing the tradeoff between selectivity and return on investment, Boulder delivers strong economic outcomes without the financial strain. The robust sample size means these patterns are reliable, not statistical noise.