Economics at Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University's economics program outperforms more than half the economics programs nationally, with first-year earnings of $53,403 placing it above both the national and Colorado medians. This matters because the school's 97% admission rate and modest SAT scores might suggest weaker outcomes—yet graduates earn more in their first year than those from Colorado State-Fort Collins and both University of Colorado campuses in Colorado Springs and Denver.

The estimated debt of $23,400, based on comparable programs at Western Colorado, produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44—meaning graduates would need less than half their first year's salary to cover what they borrowed. That's slightly better than the national norm for economics degrees and suggests manageable repayment. The catch is we don't know the actual debt burden for this specific program's graduates, as the sample size was too small for the Department of Education to publish. Peer programs at the school typically carry this level of debt, but individual experiences could vary.

For parents weighing this investment, the earnings performance is genuinely encouraging and suggests the program delivers competitive preparation despite the university's open-admission profile. The debt estimate looks reasonable, though you'll want to confirm financial aid packages directly with the school. Economics degrees generally provide flexible career options, and starting above $53,000 in a state with lower cost-of-living areas like Gunnison gives graduates breathing room as they launch their careers.