Economics at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Based on comparable economics programs in North Carolina, this degree suggests modest first-year earnings of around $46,400 against estimated debt of $22,000—a manageable 0.47 ratio that falls squarely in the middle of what similar state programs produce. That debt load aligns closely with the national median for economics bachelor's degrees, though the earnings trail the national benchmark by about $5,300. The gap isn't alarming for a regional public university, but it does reflect UNC Wilmington's position in a state where economics outcomes vary dramatically: Duke grads start above $98,000, while this program appears to cluster with East Carolina at the median.

The real question is whether economics at UNCW leads to the kinds of jobs—financial analysis, consulting, policy research—that drive higher returns in this field. The modest starting salary relative to national peers suggests graduates may be competing more in regional markets than landing at major firms or financial hubs. For a family comfortable with $22,000 in debt, the numbers work if your student plans to stay in the Wilmington area or doesn't need immediate high earnings. But if the goal is to maximize the economics degree's earning potential, the $20,000 gap between this program and UNC Chapel Hill matters more than the relatively small difference in expected debt.