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2027 Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

36 Colleges in the United States
2,403 General Economics Degrees Awarded
$51,571 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 36 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 the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general economics education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in General Economics

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year for general economics. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 623 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $68,416 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,690. More information about a degree in general economics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

Students looking for a strong general economics program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 596 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $64,223. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750. Get the full general economics details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 246 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $58,921 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,228. See the full general economics program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Students looking for a strong general economics program will find one at Kenyon College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 28 general economics degrees were awarded at Kenyon College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Kenyon College earn around $58,082 in the first couple years of their career. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,718 in student loans. More information about a degree in general economics from Kenyon College

5

A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for general economics. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 53 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $59,142 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the general economics program at Indiana University Bloomington

6
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #6 for general economics this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 225 general economics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Michigan State University earn around $54,013 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full general economics details for Michigan State University

7

Miami University Oxford landed the #7 spot for general economics this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 56 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $57,379 in their early career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Read more about the general economics program at Miami University Oxford

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #8 position for general economics this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 45 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $68,850 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,264 in student loans. Read more about the general economics program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

9

Loyola University Chicago landed the #9 spot for general economics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 14 general economics degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Get the full general economics details for Loyola University Chicago

10

Ball State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best general economics schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 15 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $56,782 early in their careers. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $22,054 in student loans. See the full general economics program report for Ball State University

11

Case Western Reserve University came in at #11 for general economics this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 36 general economics degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $53,148 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,949 to complete this degree. Read more about the general economics program at Case Western Reserve University

12

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for general economics this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 general economics degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $66,237 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree. Get the full general economics details for Ohio University Main Campus

13

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #13 among the best general economics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 71 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,767. Students borrow a median of $19,002 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general economics from University Of Illinois At Chicago

14
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #14 for general economics this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $53,417. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $22,433 in student loans. Read more about the general economics program at Depaul University

15

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #15 spot for general economics this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 20 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $53,595 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general economics from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

16
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #16 for general economics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 18 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $46,400 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,718. See the full general economics program report for Marquette University

17

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #17 position for general economics this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 15 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $51,344 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full general economics details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

18

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #18 for general economics this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point awarded about 19 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn around $41,256 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete this degree. Read more about the general economics program at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

19

Illinois State University came in at #19 for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 18 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $44,015 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general economics details for Illinois State University

20

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #20 spot for general economics this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $21,698 in student loans. Get the full general economics details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

21
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN

Wabash College landed the #21 spot for general economics this year. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Wabash College in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $51,815 early in their careers. Wabash College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general economics from Wabash College

22

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #22 for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern Indiana awarded about 10 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete this degree. Read more about the general economics program at University Of Southern Indiana

23
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #23 for general economics this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 general economics students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $52,728. North Central College graduates carry a median of $26,801 in student loans. Read more about the general economics program at North Central College

24

Saint Norbert College earned the #24 position for general economics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of De Pere. Saint Norbert College graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Saint Norbert College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Saint Norbert College generally make around $53,350. Saint Norbert College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full general economics details for Saint Norbert College

25

Mckendree University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best general economics schools. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Mckendree University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Mckendree University in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $51,068 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general economics from Mckendree University

Rest of the Top 36 General Economics Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general economics this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI
32
33
34
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI
35
36

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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