Economics at University of Richmond

University of Richmond's economics graduates start strong at $61,000, then see their earnings jump to $102,500 by year four—a 68% increase that places them among the fastest-rising earners in the field. While they don't quite match the starting salaries at UVA or Washington and Lee (both above $71,000), Richmond graduates eventually close much of that gap through rapid career progression. At the 78th percentile nationally, this program significantly outperforms the typical economics degree, and with debt of just $23,000—about what you'd find at most Virginia programs—the financial picture looks solid from day one.

The 60th percentile ranking within Virginia tells a nuanced story. Richmond sits comfortably in the upper half of state programs, trailing the elite public and private options but ahead of most alternatives. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means graduates owe less than five months of their first-year salary, allowing them to pay down loans quickly even before the big salary jumps kick in. The moderate sample size suggests these outcomes are reasonably stable across cohorts.

For a family weighing Richmond against Virginia's top-tier programs, the tradeoff is clear: you'll accept a lower starting salary in exchange for manageable debt and strong mid-term earning potential. If your child can get into UVA or W&M, the higher initial earnings might justify the larger investment, but Richmond offers a more affordable path to a six-figure salary by your late twenties.