Economics at Xavier University

Xavier's Economics program carries $27,000 in debt—higher than both the state and national medians—while earnings estimates based on comparable Ohio programs suggest first-year income around $51,500. That debt load isn't catastrophic, but it's meaningful when peer programs in the state typically produce similar early earnings with $4,000 less borrowing.

The comparison to other Ohio economics programs is instructive. Top performers like John Carroll and Oberlin report graduates earning $60,000-$65,000 in their first year, suggesting there may be networking or employer relationships that Xavier's program doesn't match. With an 88% admission rate and modest average SAT scores, Xavier appears less selective than these higher-earning competitors, which may affect both the rigor of coursework and access to elite job placement pipelines.

For a family considering this investment, the key question is whether Xavier's specific environment—perhaps its Jesuit focus or Cincinnati connections—offers something beyond what the numbers suggest. At baseline, you're looking at a debt burden that's manageable but not trivial for starting earnings that land right at the state median. If your student has admission options at programs like Miami or Cincinnati that report stronger outcomes, those deserve serious consideration.