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 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying economics schools.
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Below are the schools whose economics graduates go on to earn the most.
Lawrence University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid economics graduates in Wisconsin. Lawrence University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Appleton. Economics graduates of Lawrence University earn a median of about $80,210 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $84,958 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,738.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #4 place for economics. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public school located in the town of Whitewater. After graduating, economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater typically earn about $86,030 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #5. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,573.
Marquette University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Early-career economics graduates from Marquette University make a median of around $76,816 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #7 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $68,243 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #8 spot for economics salaries this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. After graduating, economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee typically earn about $68,869 annually.
Saint Norbert College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of about $53,350 a year early in their careers.
Carthage College landed the #10 spot for economics salaries this year. Carthage College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Economics graduates of Carthage College earn a median of about $36,493 a year early in their careers.
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 · 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.