2026 Best Development Economics & International Development Master’s Degree Schools
Development Economics & International Development programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for development economics & international development students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Development Economics & International Development in the United States
Below are the best development economics & international development schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Development Economics & International Development
Our analysis ranked University Of California Los Angeles the best school in the country for a degree in development economics & international development. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 73 development economics & international development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their development economics & international development degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $62,091 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in development economics & international development from University Of California Los Angeles
Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in development economics & international development, ranking #2. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 development economics & international development students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the development economics & international development program make about $79,324 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
Read more about the development economics & international development program at Georgetown University
Williams College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in development economics & international development, ranking #3. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Williams College awarded about 30 development economics & international development degrees in the most recent data year. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Williams College earn a median of $80,888 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong development economics & international development program will find one at Emory University, which ranked #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. Emory University awarded about 13 development economics & international development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $69,551. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full development economics & international development details for Emory University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in development economics & international development, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 13 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the development economics & international development program make about $50,529 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,782.
See the full development economics & international development program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Brandeis University came in at #6 for development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 development economics & international development students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis University in the most recent data year. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $69,189 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,295.
More information about a degree in development economics & international development from Brandeis University
Other Development Economics & International Development Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Development Economics & International Development rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 64 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
