Economics at University of Redlands

Based on comparable economics programs in California, University of Redlands appears to position graduates near the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $51,200—tracking closely with the national benchmark. The estimated $21,500 in debt sits above California's typical $16,800 but produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, meaning graduates would dedicate roughly five months of their first year's salary to loan repayment. That's manageable by most standards, though the debt estimate reflects a relatively small sample of similar private institutions in the state.

The caveat here is significant: both figures are derived from peer programs rather than this specific cohort's outcomes. University of Redlands serves a different population than the elite California programs where economics graduates routinely earn $70,000-$98,000 in year one. With an 81% admission rate and 35% of students on Pell grants, the student body likely includes more first-generation college students and those from middle-income families—populations that sometimes face different post-graduation pathways than those at highly selective institutions.

For families banking on economics as a practical major, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable—not exceptional—outcomes. If your student is comparing this to in-state public options where debt might run lower, that's worth modeling out. But if they're choosing Redlands for its smaller classes or Southern California location, the projected financial picture shouldn't derail those plans.