Analysis
Penn Economics graduates earn $89,000 just one year out—nearly double the Pennsylvania median for economics majors and $35,000 above the national average. This places the program in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide, topping even Carnegie Mellon's nearby program by roughly $3,000 in first-year earnings. By year four, median earnings climb to $126,000, a 41% jump that reflects the program's strong placement into high-paying finance and consulting roles.
The financial picture is remarkably clean: just $14,000 in median debt means graduates owe about six weeks of their first-year salary. That 0.16 debt-to-earnings ratio is among the best you'll find for any bachelor's degree, let alone one at an Ivy League institution. While Penn's 6% admission rate makes this a reach for most students, the economics here couldn't be clearer—you're looking at top-tier earnings with minimal debt burden.
The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers are reliable, though not as statistically robust as larger programs. For families who can navigate Penn's selective admissions, this program delivers exceptional return on investment from day one.
Where University of Pennsylvania Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all economics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania | $89,097 | $125,816 | +41% |
| Swarthmore College | $76,944 | $105,566 | +37% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | $86,284 | $94,093 | +9% |
| Lafayette College | $68,164 | $88,504 | +30% |
| Villanova University | $67,065 | $88,087 | +31% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (49 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia | $66,104 | $89,097 | $125,816 | $14,000 | 0.16 |
 Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh | $63,829 | $86,284 | $94,093 | $22,020 | 0.26 |
 Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore | $62,412 | $76,944 | $105,566 | $19,500 | 0.25 |
 Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia | $60,663 | $70,967 | $83,676 | $29,000 | 0.41 |
 Bucknell UniversityLewisburg | $64,772 | $70,946 | $79,134 | $25,888 | 0.36 |
 Lafayette CollegeEaston | $62,574 | $68,164 | $88,504 | $19,500 | 0.29 |
| 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 Pennsylvania, approximately 16% 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 83 graduates with reported earnings and 57 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.