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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their economics graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 11 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.
For graduate earnings in economics, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor make a median of around $108,627 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Michigan State University one of the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Michigan State University make a median of around $81,373 per year.
University Of Michigan Dearborn produces some of the highest-paid graduates in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $82,126 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for economics. Northern Michigan University is a public school located in the town of Marquette. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,578.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Grand Valley State University make a median of around $63,288 per year.
Wayne State University came in at #6 for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Wayne State University typically earn about $65,866 annually.
Central Michigan University earned the #7 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Central Michigan University typically earn about $65,632 annually.
Albion College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,833.
Calvin College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Calvin College typically earn about $48,400 annually.
Kalamazoo College came in at #10 for economics graduate earnings this year. Kalamazoo College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,508.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #11 for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University typically earn about $30,569 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries economics graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 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.