Applied Economics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their applied economics programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for applied economics students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for applied economics can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Applied Economics rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Applied Economics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in applied economics. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 20 applied economics degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied economics degree from Georgetown University earn around $81,892 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Georgetown University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for applied economics. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 applied economics degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied economics program make about $56,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied economics, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 22 applied economics degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $56,261. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
See the full applied economics program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Connecticut one of the top schools for applied economics. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 14 applied economics degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied economics program make about $52,227 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $22,907 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University Of Connecticut
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the top schools for applied economics. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 applied economics degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied economics degree from Florida State University earn around $60,948 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,625.
Get the full applied economics details for Florida State University
Suny At Binghamton earned the #6 position for applied economics this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 97 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,502. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $19,919 in student loans.
See the full applied economics program report for Suny At Binghamton
Utah State University landed the #7 spot for applied economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Logan. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 29 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Utah State University in the most recent data year. Applied Economics graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $60,472 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Utah State University
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best applied economics schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 11 applied economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied economics program make about $53,934 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,166 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
University Of Houston earned the #9 position for applied economics this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied economics degree from University Of Houston earn around $50,820 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University Of Houston
Farmingdale State College landed the #10 spot for applied economics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Farmingdale State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied economics program make about $50,374 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,528.
See the full applied economics program report for Farmingdale State College
Ursinus College came in at #11 for applied economics this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Collegeville. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ursinus College awarded about 30 applied economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied economics program make about $52,496 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full applied economics program report for Ursinus College
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for applied economics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Las Cruces. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Typical student debt for the program is $19,026.
Get the full applied economics details for New Mexico State University Main Campus
Applied Economics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
