Economics at Wilson College

At $26,368 in estimated debt, this program appears to track reasonably close to what other Pennsylvania economics programs typically produce—state medians suggest around $25,782 in borrowing. The estimated first-year earnings of $53,396 align precisely with the Pennsylvania median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 that falls within manageable territory. Based on similar economics programs across the state, graduates typically earn enough in their first year to begin addressing their debt without overwhelming financial strain.

What's less clear is where Wilson College fits within Pennsylvania's broad spectrum of economics outcomes. The state's top programs—Penn, Carnegie Mellon, Swarthmore—report first-year earnings ranging from $77,000 to $89,000, nearly double the statewide median. Wilson's 90% admission rate and 1020 average SAT score suggest it serves a different student population than these selective institutions, but without actual graduate outcomes, it's difficult to assess whether Wilson's program performs closer to state medians or trails behind them.

The estimates suggest middle-of-the-road value: not the high-earning launch pad that Pennsylvania's elite institutions provide, but potentially a workable investment if the actual outcomes materialize near state averages. For families considering this program, the key question is whether Wilson's specific approach to economics—its curriculum, faculty, internship networks—delivers results comparable to the peer programs these estimates are drawn from.