2026 Best General Economics Schools in California
General Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 141 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general economics students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for General Economics in California
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 general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Economics
Santa Clara University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general economics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 71 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $76,606 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general economics program at Santa Clara University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 57 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $67,501. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general economics program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
El Camino Community College District is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general economics, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. About 75 general economics degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year.
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College Of San Mateo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. About 68 general economics degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans.
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University Of California Santa Cruz is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general economics, ranking #5. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 103 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $50,518 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,017.
More information about a degree in general economics from University Of California Santa Cruz
Pepperdine University came in at #6 for general economics this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 46 general economics degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $54,267 early in their careers. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general economics from Pepperdine University
De Anza College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 74 general economics students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271.
More information about a degree in general economics from De Anza College
California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 47 general economics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $39,993 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the general economics program at California State University Fullerton
Diablo Valley College placed #9 among the best general economics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 90 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. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
See the full general economics program report for Diablo Valley College
University Of California Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 325 general economics degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $15,499 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from University Of California Irvine
San Jose State University came in at #11 for general economics this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 35 general economics degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general economics program report for San Jose State University
Orange Coast College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 58 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. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978.
More information about a degree in general economics from Orange Coast College
Pitzer College landed the #13 spot for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 30 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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San Diego State University landed the #14 spot for general economics this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 213 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $44,125 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250.
See the full general economics program report for San Diego State University
California State University Sacramento came in at #15 for general economics this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 143 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,312 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general economics from California State University Sacramento
San Francisco State University earned the #16 position for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 54 general economics degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $46,310 in their early career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
See the full general economics program report for San Francisco State University
American River College earned the #17 position for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. About 66 general economics degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $76,077 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from American River College
College Of The Canyons came in at #18 for general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. About 82 general economics degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree.
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California State University Channel Islands ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 14 general economics degrees were awarded at California State University Channel Islands in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $57,440 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,997.
See the full general economics program report for California State University Channel Islands
California State University Long Beach landed the #20 spot for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 58 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $38,475 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete this degree.
See the full general economics program report for California State University Long Beach
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #21 position for general economics this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 13 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. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
See the full general economics program report for Santa Rosa Junior College
California State University East Bay landed the #22 spot for general economics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 general economics degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from California State University East Bay earn around $46,408 in the first couple years of their career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans.
Read more about the general economics program at California State University East Bay
Cerritos College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Cerritos College awarded about 72 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree.
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California State University Northridge placed #24 among the best general economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 78 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from California State University Northridge earn around $35,628 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general economics program at California State University Northridge
Moorpark College placed #25 among the best general economics schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 177 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $105,599 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from Moorpark College
Rest of the Top 50 General Economics Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general economics this year:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for general economics:
More General Economics Rankings
View All General Economics Rankings >
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 · 141 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.
