by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying economics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose economics graduates go on to earn the most.
Duke University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid economics graduates in the United States. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $171,986.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Harvard University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $161,251.
Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Stanford University typically earn about $148,692 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Dartmouth College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $153,295.
University Of Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of about $157,181 a year early in their careers.
Amherst College came in at #6 for economics graduate earnings this year. Amherst College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Economics graduates of Amherst College earn a median of about $150,151 a year early in their careers.
Claremont Mckenna College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Claremont Mckenna College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Economics graduates of Claremont Mckenna College earn a median of about $151,744 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for economics. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Early-career economics graduates from University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $152,236 per year.
Middlebury College came in at #9 for economics graduate earnings this year. Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Economics graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of about $150,031 a year early in their careers.
Williams College came in at #10 for economics graduate earnings this year. Williams College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Williams College typically earn about $150,862 annually.
Barnard College landed the #11 spot for economics salaries this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Barnard College make a median of around $136,964 per year.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $145,452.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Early-career economics graduates from Carnegie Mellon University make a median of around $132,407 per year.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #14 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $134,398.
Princeton University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $103,041.
Cornell University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Cornell University make a median of around $129,667 per year.
Colby College placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Colby College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Economics graduates of Colby College earn a median of about $142,245 a year early in their careers.
Yale University earned the #18 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Early-career economics graduates from Yale University make a median of around $131,171 per year.
Vanderbilt University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Vanderbilt University make a median of around $128,449 per year.
Saint Josephs University came in at #20 for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Saint Josephs University typically earn about $101,844 annually.
Washington And Lee University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Washington And Lee University typically earn about $145,820 annually.
Northwestern University landed the #22 spot for economics salaries this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $125,639.
Swarthmore College landed the #23 spot for economics salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of about $136,021 a year early in their careers.
Sacred Heart University earned the #24 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Early-career economics graduates from Sacred Heart University make a median of around $99,167 per year.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $125,636.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid economics ranking:
The following schools rounded out the strongest economics earnings:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | $97,565 | Full Report |
| #52 | University Of Virginia Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | $95,941 | Full Report |
| #53 | Lafayette College | Easton, PA | $106,100 | Full Report |
| #54 | Bucknell University | Lewisburg, PA | $101,580 | Full Report |
| #55 | New York University | New York, NY | $105,120 | Full Report |
| #56 | Carleton College | Northfield, MN | $107,997 | Full Report |
| #57 | Union College New York | Schenectady, NY | $113,427 | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for economics graduate pay:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Economics rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their economics graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.