Economics at University of Vermont

University of Vermont's economics degree starts behind most peer programs but shows promising momentum. First-year graduates earn $38,452—well below the $51,722 national median and even trailing the $47,211 Vermont median. Among Vermont's four economics programs, this ranks toward the bottom quartile. However, earnings jump 34% to reach $51,595 by year four, nearly closing the gap with national standards.

The $23,875 debt load sits at the state median and remains manageable relative to starting earnings, with graduates owing just over half their first-year salary. The challenge is that initial period: new graduates are earning about $13,000 less than the typical economics major nationally, which makes those early loan payments tougher even if the ratio looks reasonable on paper.

The trajectory matters here. If your child can weather the slower start—perhaps with family support or careful budgeting during those first years—the program appears to deliver solid mid-career outcomes that match national norms. But families should understand they're paying flagship university tuition for below-average starting earnings, at least compared to elite programs like Middlebury (though that's an admittedly lofty comparison). The moderate sample size suggests reasonably consistent outcomes, making this less of a gamble than extremely small programs, but the early earning gap is real and worth planning for.