by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 29 U.S. colleges awarded 400 degrees and certificates in Applied Economics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 71% of graduates. College Factual ranks 12 schools in its 2027 Best Applied Economics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $56,341 one year after completing, rising to $87,817 after four years.
A degree in Applied Economics involves the study of Applied Economics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Economic Principles And Analytical Techniques To The Study Of Particular Industries, Activities, Or The Exploitation Of Particular Resources. Includes Instruction In Economic Theory; Microeconomic Analysis And Modeling Of Specific Industries, Commodities; The Economic Consequences Of Resource Allocation Decisions; Regulatory And Consumer Factors; And The Technical Aspects Of Specific Subjects As They Relate To Economic Analysis. Examples: [Behavioral And Experimental Economics].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, applied economics is a widely-pursued major, with 400 degrees awarded annually. 29 colleges award applied economics degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 99.
By level, the 400 awards include 283 bachelor’s degrees, 113 master’s degrees and 4 doctorates.
Women earned 36% of applied economics degrees and certificates in the latest year (146 of 400). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (250) and Hispanic or Latino (36), and international students earned 43.
College Factual ranks 12 schools in its 2027 Best Applied Economics Schools ranking, including 12 for bachelor’s degrees and 6 for master’s degrees. It also ranks applied economics schools within 8 states. In all, 29 colleges offer applied economics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Applied Economics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common applied economics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 283 of the 400 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to applied economics call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
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How long an applied economics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 283 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 113 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to applied economics, at 41.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 41.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.7% |
| Master’s degree | 17.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.9% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
14 occupations are related to Applied Economics, with an average median salary of $102,735; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Industrial Economics Teacher, Economics Assistant Professor, Macroeconomics Professor and College Faculty Member.
The occupation related to applied economics with the most projected jobs is Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, at 830,747.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 671,367 | 10.3% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Search Marketing Strategists | 199,758 | 8.2% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
Applied Economics graduates earn a median $56,341 one year after completing their program, $87,817 after four years and $88,018 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,341 |
| 4 years | $87,817 |
| 5 years | $88,018 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to applied economics is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Survey Researchers | $108,538 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
Applied Economics has 5 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 47,796 degrees a year; the largest are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (25,410), Economics, General (21,619) and Development Economics and International Development (410). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 25,410 |
| Economics, General | 21,619 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 410 |
| International Economics | 206 |
| Economics, Other | 151 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
