Economics at Wesleyan College

With estimated debt of $27,000 against first-year earnings around $45,000 based on comparable economics programs in Georgia, Wesleyan's debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 sits in reasonable territory—but the context matters considerably. The earnings estimate, derived from just six Georgia programs, suggests graduates would start near the state median but roughly $6,500 below the national benchmark for economics bachelor's degrees. That gap isn't trivial when you're carrying more debt than the national median ($22,816) for this major.

The comparison to Georgia's top programs reveals a significant range: Emory economics graduates earn nearly 60% more, while even public options like UGA show stronger outcomes. Wesleyan serves a student body where 44% receive Pell grants, and the college's 905 average SAT suggests it provides access to students who might not have traditional elite university options. For these students, an economics degree that produces median-range outcomes for the state could represent genuine social mobility—if the actual figures align with these peer-based estimates.

The uncertainty here is substantial. With too few graduates to report separately, this program's true outcomes remain unclear. Parents should verify current placement rates and alumni career paths directly with the college. If your daughter has strong economics aptitude and values Wesleyan's environment, this estimated debt load is manageable enough to be repaid—but understand you're betting on estimates from similar programs, not proven performance from this specific one.