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 12 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.
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools in New Jersey. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Princeton University typically earn about $103,041 annually.
A rank of #2 makes The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey one of the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,601.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from The College Of New Jersey make a median of around $77,796 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Rutgers University Camden, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Rutgers University Camden make a median of around $87,743 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Rutgers University New Brunswick, which ranked #5. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,743.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #6 spot for economics salaries this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Economics graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $87,743 a year early in their careers.
Seton Hall University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,322.
Drew University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $89,492.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #9 for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from William Paterson University Of New Jersey make a median of around $64,426 per year.
Kean University came in at #10 for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Kean University typically earn about $51,018 annually.
Rowan University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Rowan University make a median of around $69,434 per year.
Montclair State University landed the #12 spot for economics salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Montclair State University make a median of around $39,375 per year.
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 · 12 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.
