by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their economics graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the early-career earnings of their economics graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose economics graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 for economics graduate salaries in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of about $84,460 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes George Washington University one of the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $104,484.
American University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of American University earn a median of about $77,219 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Howard University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Howard University earn a median of about $56,391 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 · 4 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.