Economics at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

UCCS economics graduates start at $46,748—about $5,000 below both the national and Colorado medians for this degree. Among Colorado's 13 economics programs, this lands at the 40th percentile, trailing not just elite schools like Colorado College but also regional competitors like Western Colorado University and CU Boulder. The debt load of $25,000 is reasonable and slightly above state norms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 that's manageable but not particularly attractive.

The 22% earnings growth to nearly $57,000 by year four offers some reassurance—graduates appear to gain momentum in the job market after that modest start. However, the university's 97% admission rate and below-average SAT scores suggest this may reflect the student body's profile as much as the program's quality. If your child is a strong student who could gain admission to CU Boulder or Colorado State, those options deliver similar or better outcomes at comparable debt levels.

For Colorado families seeking an accessible path to an economics degree—perhaps for a student who needs a less competitive environment or wants to stay in Colorado Springs—this program functions adequately. The debt won't be crushing, and mid-career prospects appear solid. But if maximizing early earning potential matters, look at the alternatives within Colorado's public university system first.