Economics at Vassar College

Vassar's economics graduates earn nearly $80,000 right out of college—60% more than the typical economics grad nationally and substantially above New York's median of $50,000. This places the program in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide, essentially tied with Cornell and just behind Barnard and Columbia. For a liberal arts college, these are investment banking and consulting-level outcomes, suggesting strong alumni networks and career placement in competitive fields.

The $19,000 median debt is reasonable given these earnings, translating to a debt-to-income ratio of just 0.24—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. While debt sits higher than the national median (75th percentile), the exceptional earnings more than compensate. The minimal earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates land strong positions immediately rather than climbing gradually, which is typical for finance and consulting tracks where Vassar clearly has placement strength.

At an 18% admission rate with SAT scores averaging 1513, Vassar is highly selective, and this program delivers returns that justify that selectivity. For families who can manage the upfront cost of attendance, economics here provides elite-level earning potential with manageable debt—a combination that positions graduates for strong financial outcomes regardless of whether they pursue graduate school or enter the workforce directly.