Economics at University of Denver

The University of Denver's economics program sits in the middle of Colorado's competitive landscape, with peer programs in the state suggesting first-year earnings around $51,500—almost exactly the national median for economics graduates. At an estimated $24,100 in debt, you'd be looking at roughly five months of gross earnings to cover the entire loan balance, which compares favorably to many bachelor's programs.

What's worth noting is that this estimate puts DU behind Colorado College and CU Denver in terms of likely earnings outcomes, though ahead of Colorado State-Fort Collins. The relatively modest debt load helps offset the middle-tier earnings position. Economics programs in Colorado appear to produce fairly consistent outcomes across institutions, with even the top performers only reaching about $58,000 in first year earnings—suggesting that where you study economics in this state may matter less than in other fields.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals look reasonable: a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 typically allows manageable repayment, and economics remains a versatile degree. However, given that DU is likely more expensive than some of the public alternatives that appear to produce similar outcomes, you'll want to compare actual net costs carefully. The question isn't whether an economics degree works—it does—but whether DU's particular offering justifies any premium over CU Boulder or other in-state options producing comparable results.