by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find where economics graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send economics graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Oberlin College, our #1 for economics graduate salaries in Ohio. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of about $93,318 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Miami University Oxford earned it the #2 place for economics. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Economics graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of about $92,113 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at John Carroll University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of about $79,864 a year early in their careers.
Kenyon College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of about $85,978 a year early in their careers.
Denison University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Denison University typically earn about $83,351 annually.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #6 for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Case Western Reserve University make a median of around $79,150 per year.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus make a median of around $72,851 per year.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #8 for economics graduate earnings this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Bowling Green. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus typically earn about $67,556 annually.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus typically earn about $58,590 annually.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #10 spot for economics salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $56,731 per year.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #11 spot for economics salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,724.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for economics salaries this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus typically earn about $64,724 annually.
Cleveland State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Cleveland State University make a median of around $66,265 per year.
University Of Dayton landed the #14 spot for economics salaries this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of about $62,519 a year early in their careers.
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 · 14 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.