Business/Managerial Economics at William Jewell College

A $24,000 debt load might sound manageable for a business economics degree, but the earnings picture warrants a closer look. Based on what similar private liberal arts colleges report nationally, first-year earnings around $53,000 put this program squarely at the median—but well below what Missouri's other business economics programs typically deliver. The state median sits at $78,000, meaning comparable programs in Missouri generally produce nearly 50% higher starting salaries.

This gap matters when you're carrying debt equal to nearly half your first-year income. While the debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, it suggests several years of careful budgeting ahead. The more selective programs in Missouri show what's possible: Washington University graduates start above $100,000, though that comes with a very different price tag and admissions profile. Even Saint Louis University, at roughly $49,000, offers similar outcomes with potentially different financial aid packages worth comparing.

The reality is that without program-specific data from William Jewell, you're betting on whether this particular school's outcomes match the national average or trend closer to Missouri's stronger programs. Given the tuition at a selective private college, that's a meaningful gamble. Before committing, get concrete placement data directly from the economics department—where graduates actually work and what they earn—to determine if this specific program justifies the investment over state alternatives.