Business/Managerial Economics at University of San Francisco

A $24,000 debt load at the national median might sound manageable, but remember these are estimates based on similar private universities—the actual figures for USF could differ. What we can say is that peer programs nationwide typically carry $22,250 in debt for this credential, so if these estimates hold, you're looking at slightly above-average borrowing for a business economics degree.

The estimated first-year earnings of $54,064 align perfectly with California's median for this field, which means graduates from comparable programs in the state typically start around this mark. That's essentially on par with the national median too. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests workable repayment—less than half the first year's salary. But here's the catch: top UC programs and even some smaller California schools produce graduates earning $80,000+ in their first year. The premium you'd pay at USF over a UC campus (where debt tends to run lower) doesn't appear to translate into a salary advantage based on state-wide patterns.

Without actual outcomes data for USF's specific program, you're making an investment decision on incomplete information. If your child has UC admission in hand, the economics favor that route. If USF is the primary option, the estimated debt picture looks survivable, but acknowledge you're betting on an outcome that may or may not materialize at this particular school.