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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their economics graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send economics graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Notre Dame the top school for economics graduate earnings in Indiana. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame typically earn about $120,257 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Depauw University one of the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Depauw University earn a median of about $97,814 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Butler University earned it the #3 place for economics. Butler University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Butler University typically earn about $72,572 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Indiana University Bloomington make a median of around $86,586 per year.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus typically earn about $81,285 annually.
Wabash College earned the #6 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Wabash College make a median of around $79,447 per year.
Valparaiso University came in at #7 for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,164.
Ball State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of about $56,782 a year early in their careers.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #9 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Economics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of about $70,396 a year early in their careers.
Hanover College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,424.
This list is compiled 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 · 10 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.