Economics at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pitt's economics program shows respectable earnings growth but starts behind its in-state competition. First-year graduates earn $50,529—below both Pennsylvania's $53,396 median and the national average. The program sits in the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania economics degrees, trailing not just elite universities like Penn and Carnegie Mellon, but also mid-tier options like Drexel and Bucknell. However, the 28% jump to $64,862 by year four suggests graduates gain traction once they establish themselves in the workforce.

The financial structure offers some consolation. At $25,782, debt levels match the state median and remain reasonable relative to first-year earnings (51% of starting salary). For a selective public university with a median SAT of 1371, these debt loads won't become crushing. The real question is whether starting $3,000 below the state median matters for early career opportunities—that gap could affect everything from apartment deposits to savings during those critical first years.

For Pennsylvania families, this comes down to net price. If Pitt offers in-state tuition or merit aid that creates meaningful savings over private alternatives, the delayed earnings trajectory becomes more acceptable. But families paying near full freight should recognize they're not buying top-tier Pennsylvania economics outcomes, even if the growth curve eventually narrows the gap.