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
Earnings Distribution
How University of Notre Dame graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame | $76,299 | $100,568 | +32% |
| DePauw University | $63,395 | $87,437 | +38% |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | $59,142 | $74,866 | +27% |
| Hanover College | $45,740 | $65,657 | +44% |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | $59,187 | $65,456 | +11% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (28 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Notre DameNotre Dame | $62,693 | $76,299 | $100,568 | $19,965 | 0.26 |
 DePauw UniversityGreencastle | $57,070 | $63,395 | $87,437 | $26,978 | 0.43 |
 Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette | $9,992 | $59,187 | $65,456 | $24,700 | 0.42 |
 Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington | $11,790 | $59,142 | $74,866 | $20,500 | 0.35 |
 Ball State UniversityMuncie | $10,758 | $56,782 | — | $22,054 | 0.39 |
 Wabash CollegeCrawfordsville | $49,125 | $51,815 | $64,767 | $27,000 | 0.52 |
| National Median | — | $51,722 | — | $22,816 | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
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.