Development Economics & International Development degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for development economics & international development students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Development Economics & International Development School
Where you study development economics & international development matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Development Economics & International Development rankings. For our Best Overall Development Economics & International Development School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Development Economics & International Development Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Development Economics & International Development Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Best Schools for Development Economics & International Development in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the development economics & international development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Development Economics & International Development
Leading the list is Cornell University, our #1 school for development economics & international development. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 23 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their development economics & international development degree from Cornell University earn around $84,967 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
See the full development economics & international development program report for Cornell University
Students looking for a strong development economics & international development program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 100 development economics & international development students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the development economics & international development program make about $62,091 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
More information about a degree in development economics & international development from University Of California Los Angeles
Williams College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best development economics & international development schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Williamstown. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 development economics & international development students who graduated with this degree at Williams College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their development economics & international development degree from Williams College earn around $80,888 in the first couple years of their career. Williams College graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans.
See the full development economics & international development program report for Williams College
Tulane University Of Louisiana is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in development economics & international development, ranking #4. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 21 development economics & international development degrees in the most recent data year. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $46,386 early in their careers. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in development economics & international development from Tulane University Of Louisiana
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in development economics & international development, ranking #5. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 development economics & international development students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $50,529. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $25,782 in student loans.
Get the full development economics & international development details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Denver earned the #6 position for development economics & international development this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 12 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $60,796 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,534.
Read more about the development economics & international development program at University Of Denver
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for development economics & international development this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 13 development economics & international development students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $66,237 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans.
Get the full development economics & international development details for Ohio University Main Campus
Brandeis University placed #8 among the best development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Brandeis University awarded about 40 development economics & international development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their development economics & international development degree from Brandeis University earn around $63,244 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,295 to complete this degree.
Get the full development economics & international development details for Brandeis University
University Of Vermont placed #9 among the best development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 16 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at University Of Vermont in the most recent year. Graduates of the development economics & international development program make about $38,452 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,875.
Read more about the development economics & international development program at University Of Vermont
Development Economics & International Development Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Development Economics & International Development. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 9 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).
