2027 Best General Economics Schools in the Far Western Region
General Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general economics programs.
College Factual analyzed 105 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general economics schools.
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Best Schools for General Economics in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general economics education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in General Economics
Leading the list is Santa Clara University, our #1 school for general economics. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 86 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $76,606 in their early career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong general economics program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 50 general economics degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 66 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $67,501 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
See the full general economics program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
De Anza College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. About 70 general economics degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes Diablo Valley College one of the top schools for general economics. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Diablo Valley College awarded about 87 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general economics from Diablo Valley College
College Of San Mateo came in at #6 for general economics this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 72 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831.
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Pepperdine University landed the #7 spot for general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Pepperdine University awarded about 51 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Pepperdine University earn around $54,267 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
See the full general economics program report for Pepperdine University
University Of California Irvine came in at #8 for general economics this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 228 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $44,087 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,499 in student loans.
See the full general economics program report for University Of California Irvine
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #9 for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $50,518 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,017 in student loans.
See the full general economics program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
San Diego State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 182 general economics degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from San Diego State University earn around $44,125 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250.
Read more about the general economics program at San Diego State University
West Valley College came in at #11 for general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. About 178 general economics degrees were awarded at West Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from West Valley College earn around $25,378 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,308.
More information about a degree in general economics from West Valley College
Orange Coast College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 70 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans.
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Pitzer College placed #13 among the best general economics schools. Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 18 general economics degrees were awarded at Pitzer College in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of Pitzer College earn a median of $59,767 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete this degree.
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Ohlone Community College placed #14 among the best general economics schools. Set in the city of Fremont, Ohlone Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 40 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Ohlone Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $22,545 in their early career. Ohlone Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general economics from Ohlone Community College
California State University Fullerton placed #15 among the best general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 28 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
More information about a degree in general economics from California State University Fullerton
College Of The Canyons came in at #16 for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 108 general economics degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans.
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Whitworth University landed the #17 spot for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 general economics degrees were awarded at Whitworth University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $63,134 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,051 to complete this degree.
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California State University Sacramento placed #18 among the best general economics schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 132 general economics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $49,312 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from California State University Sacramento
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #19 position for general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. About 16 general economics degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $59,760. Typical student debt for the program is $25,041.
More information about a degree in general economics from Saint Marys College Of California
San Diego Miramar College earned the #20 position for general economics this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 25 general economics degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $41,038 in their early career. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans.
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San Francisco State University came in at #21 for general economics this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. San Francisco State University awarded about 38 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from San Francisco State University earn around $46,310 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
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California State University Long Beach earned the #22 position for general economics this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 general economics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $38,475 early in their careers. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans.
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Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #23 for general economics this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 21 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $80,047 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from Santa Rosa Junior College
Foothill College came in at #24 for general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Foothill College awarded about 44 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,595.
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California State University East Bay ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best general economics schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 16 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $46,408 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans.
See the full general economics program report for California State University East Bay
Rest of the Top 50 General Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general economics education:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 105 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.
