Economics at Williams College

Williams College economics graduates earn $80,888 in their first year—56% above the national median and 41% higher than the typical Massachusetts economics program. Among the state's 38 economics programs, Williams ranks in the 80th percentile, trailing only elite peers like Harvard and Amherst. The real story emerges four years out: earnings jump to $115,082, a 42% increase that suggests graduates are securing roles with genuine advancement potential rather than hitting a ceiling.

The debt picture makes this especially compelling. At $12,925, graduates carry roughly half the typical debt load for economics majors in Massachusetts ($25,000) and nearly half the national median ($22,816). With first-year earnings covering the entire debt load six times over, most graduates face minimal financial strain even as they launch careers in high-cost Boston or New York markets.

The caveat: Williams admits just 10% of applicants with near-perfect academic credentials. For students who can gain admission, the economics program delivers exceptional returns with minimal debt burden. The combination of immediate earning power and strong earnings trajectory positions graduates competitively against peer institutions while keeping educational debt manageable—a rare pairing that justifies the program's selective reputation.