Economics at University of Massachusetts-Boston

UMass Boston's economics program starts slower than most Massachusetts schools, with first-year earnings trailing the state median by nearly $11,000 and landing in just the 25th percentile among Bay State economics programs. That gap matters in an expensive state like Massachusetts, where recent graduates face high living costs. The program also underperforms the national median by about $5,000 initially. However, the debt picture is excellent—at $27,000, graduates carry less than the typical Massachusetts economics major and rank in the bottom 5th percentile nationally for debt burden.

The real story emerges over time. Four years out, earnings jump 42% to $66,000, closing much of the gap with state and national peers. While still below Harvard's $104,000 or even the Massachusetts median of $57,000, this growth trajectory suggests the degree does build marketable skills. The low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 means graduates can manage payments while their careers gain momentum.

For families seeking an affordable economics degree with room to grow, this works—particularly for in-state students who can further reduce costs. Just recognize your child will likely start behind peers from higher-ranked Massachusetts schools and need those first few years to prove themselves in the job market.