Economics at University of Notre Dame
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Notre Dame economics graduates earn $76,299 in their first year—nearly 50% more than the national median and roughly $18,000 above Indiana's state median. Among Indiana programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, placing it well ahead of traditional state flagships like IU-Bloomington and Purdue. The program also delivers exceptional growth, with earnings jumping to $100,568 by year four. That's top-tier performance for a bachelor's degree in economics, placing Notre Dame in the 95th percentile nationally.
The debt picture makes this particularly attractive: $19,965 is modest by private university standards and actually below both state and national medians for economics programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, graduates owe roughly three months of their first-year salary—an unusually manageable burden. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these numbers reflect consistent outcomes, not statistical noise.
The Notre Dame name carries real weight in finance and consulting recruiting, which explains both the strong starting salaries and the career trajectory. For families who can manage the upfront cost of attendance, this program delivers elite-level outcomes with reasonable debt. Even compared to top Indiana programs like DePauw, Notre Dame graduates start $13,000 ahead—a gap that only widens over time.
Where University of Notre Dame Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How University of Notre Dame graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of Notre Dame graduates earn $76k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all economics bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (28 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame | $76,299 | $100,568 | $19,965 | 0.26 |
| DePauw University | $63,395 | $87,437 | $26,978 | 0.43 |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | $59,187 | $65,456 | $24,700 | 0.42 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | $59,142 | $74,866 | $20,500 | 0.35 |
| Ball State University | $56,782 | — | $22,054 | 0.39 |
| Wabash College | $51,815 | $64,767 | $27,000 | 0.52 |
| National Median | $51,722 | — | $22,816 | 0.44 |
Other Economics Programs in Indiana
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Indiana schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| DePauw University Greencastle | $57,070 | $63,395 | $26,978 |
| Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette | $9,992 | $59,187 | $24,700 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington | $11,790 | $59,142 | $20,500 |
| Ball State University Muncie | $10,758 | $56,782 | $22,054 |
| Wabash College Crawfordsville | $49,125 | $51,815 | $27,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Notre Dame, approximately 12% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 137 graduates with reported earnings and 146 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.