Business/Managerial Economics at University of San Diego

Is a University of San Diego business economics degree worth $24,000 in debt when early earnings remain uncertain? Based on comparable programs in California, first-year earnings hover around $54,000—squarely at the state median for this field. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, which is manageable territory for a business degree. However, by year four, reported earnings jump to $89,194, putting USD graduates well ahead of most peer programs in California and suggesting strong mid-term earning potential.

The trajectory matters here more than the starting point. While similar programs at UCLA produce higher initial earnings ($83,604), USD's four-year outcomes actually surpass that figure by roughly $6,000. This could reflect the school's connections to San Diego's business community or simply that business economics majors take a year or two to hit their stride. The estimated debt load sits above California's state median ($18,000) but remains reasonable given the eventual earning power.

For families paying private university prices at USD, the practical question is whether that four-year earnings figure holds up. If it does, the investment pencils out—the debt burden is modest relative to mid-career earnings. If your student can minimize borrowing beyond that $24,000 estimate and has genuine interest in business strategy rather than just "something in business," the trajectory looks promising enough to proceed with cautious optimism.