Economics at University of West Georgia

University of West Georgia's economics program graduates earn substantially less than the national median for economics majors—nearly $12,000 less in the first year. While the 5th percentile national ranking sounds alarming, context matters: among Georgia's 16 economics programs, this lands at the 40th percentile, essentially middle-of-the-pack for in-state options. Graduates here earn less than those from UGA or Georgia State, but roughly match outcomes at Morehouse College. The $25,250 median debt sits slightly below Georgia's median and translates to a manageable 63% of first-year earnings.

The positive story is genuine earnings growth—15% from year one to year four brings graduates to $45,971, nearly matching the state median. That trajectory suggests the degree opens doors, even if starting salaries lag. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few data points.

For Georgia families seeking an affordable economics degree, this represents a mid-tier option with reasonable debt and improving earnings. But students with strong academic credentials should seriously consider UGA or Georgia State, where outcomes are notably stronger. If your child is admitted here, the debt load won't be crushing, but they should plan on leveraging internships and networking to overcome the weaker initial salary positioning.