Economics at Wartburg College

Based on comparable economics programs in Iowa, Wartburg's estimated outcomes fall right at the state median—$49,314 in first-year earnings against roughly $24,000 in debt. That 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment: graduates would owe less than half their annual salary, which translates to monthly payments around $270 on a standard ten-year plan.

What's challenging here is the lack of precision. When the Department of Education suppresses data due to small graduate cohorts, parents are essentially betting on peer program performance rather than this school's track record. The state's economics programs show considerable variation—Iowa State grads earn $57,000 while Coe College grads start around $42,000—and without Wartburg's actual outcomes, you can't know where on that spectrum their graduates land. The program could be outperforming its peers or underperforming; the estimates simply reflect what similar schools typically achieve.

For a family considering this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable financial footing if they materialize. But recognize you're making a decision with limited visibility. If that uncertainty feels uncomfortable given your family's financial situation, look for programs where actual outcome data exists—it won't guarantee results, but it does show what that specific school has historically delivered.