by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 652 U.S. colleges awarded 21,619 degrees and certificates in General Economics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 73% of graduates. College Factual ranks 313 schools in its 2027 Best General 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 General Economics covers Economics, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of The Production, Conservation And Allocation Of Resources In Conditions Of Scarcity, Together With The Organizational Frameworks Related To These Processes. Includes Instruction In Economic Theory, Micro- And Macroeconomics, Comparative Economic Systems, Money And Banking Systems, International Economics, Quantitative Analytical Methods, And Applications To Specific Industries And Public Policy Issues.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general economics is a widely-pursued major, with 21,619 degrees awarded annually. 652 colleges award general economics degrees, an average of 33 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 757.
By level, the 21,619 awards include 5,235 associate degrees, 15,795 bachelor’s degrees, 497 master’s degrees and 92 doctorates.
Women earned 34% of general economics degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,397 of 21,619). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (9,379) and Hispanic or Latino (4,252), and international students earned 2,502.
College Factual ranks 313 schools in its 2027 Best General Economics Schools ranking, including 70 for associate degrees, 238 for bachelor’s degrees, 38 for master’s degrees and 15 for doctorates. It also ranks general economics schools within 46 states. In all, 652 colleges offer general economics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Economics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general economics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 15,795 of the 21,619 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general economics call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general economics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5,235 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 15,795 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 497 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 92 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general economics, at 44.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 44.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 25.7% |
| Master’s degree | 10.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 4.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
13 occupations are related to General Economics, with an average median salary of $100,501; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Teacher, Adjunct Economics Instructor, Economics Instructor and Economics Adjunct Professor.
The occupation related to general 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% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| 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% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
General 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 general 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 |
| 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 |
| Environmental Economists | $86,726 |
General Economics has 5 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 26,577 degrees a year; the largest are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (25,410), Development Economics and International Development (410) and Applied Economics (400). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 25,410 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 410 |
| Applied Economics | 400 |
| International Economics | 206 |
| Economics, Other | 151 |
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