Compare 9 Economics. programs in Colorado. Average earnings: $58,076.
The highest-earning Economics program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $41K earnings gap across 9 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Colorado College's Economics program leads with graduates earning $79,354, significantly above the state average of $58,076. University of Colorado Boulder follows at $65,987, while UC Denver rounds out the top three at $65,621—demonstrating that program quality varies even within the same university system.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Colorado College graduates borrow $18,257 and face just a 4.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes genuinely affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Colorado CollegePrivate | $79,354 | 82 | $18,257 | Excellent | $35,663 | Manageable |
| #2 | $65,987 | 307 | $19,500 | Excellent | $46,340 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $65,621 | 138 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,716 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $61,513 | 157 | $20,000 | Excellent | $36,000 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $56,961 | 42 | $20,000 | Excellent | $21,710 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $55,472 | 11 | $21,500 | Good | $13,743 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $53,403 | 14 | $20,250 | Good | $28,288 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Fort Lewis CollegePublic | $46,087 | 12 | $18,389 | Good | $21,062 | Challenging |
| #9 | $38,289 | 56 | $20,470 | Manageable | $22,566 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
