Economics at University of Oregon

University of Oregon economics graduates start behind the national curve but experience remarkable earnings growth, jumping from $46,000 to $64,000 over four years—a 40% gain that outpaces typical career progressions. While first-year earnings land in just the 27th percentile nationally, this program demonstrates what economists call "strong human capital development," where the degree's analytical training compounds in value as graduates establish themselves professionally.

The debt picture offers genuine relief here. At $19,305, Oregon's economics majors graduate with about $4,500 less debt than the state median and $3,500 below the national benchmark. That 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio means manageable payments from day one, and as earnings accelerate, loan obligations become an even smaller burden. Among Oregon's 14 economics programs, this performs right at the state median for starting salaries while delivering notably lower debt than peers.

The tradeoff is clear: you're not buying the instant prestige of Reed's $53,000 starting salary, but you're getting solid economic fundamentals training at a lower financial cost, with earnings that catch up meaningfully by year four. For families concerned about both upfront debt and long-term earning potential, this combination of modest borrowing and strong earnings trajectory creates a path where graduates aren't starting underwater, and their financial situation improves considerably as they gain experience.