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 23 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.
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid economics graduates in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Early-career economics graduates from Harvard University make a median of around $161,251 per year.
Amherst College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Amherst College typically earn about $150,151 annually.
Williams College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Williams College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $150,862.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Tufts University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Tufts University earn a median of about $126,124 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Wellesley College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of about $107,567 a year early in their careers.
College Of The Holy Cross earned the #6 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $118,102.
Northeastern University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Northeastern University typically earn about $98,280 annually.
Boston College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Boston College earn a median of about $112,774 a year early in their careers.
Smith College earned the #9 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Smith College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Early-career economics graduates from Smith College make a median of around $74,557 per year.
Wheaton College Massachusetts earned the #10 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. Economics graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of about $70,388 a year early in their careers.
Boston University landed the #11 spot for economics salaries this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career economics graduates from Boston University make a median of around $88,959 per year.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #12 position for economics graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $91,255.
Stonehill College landed the #13 spot for economics salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Stonehill College make a median of around $83,392 per year.
Brandeis University landed the #14 spot for economics salaries this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Economics graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of about $97,620 a year early in their careers.
Suffolk University earned the #15 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,804.
Assumption College earned the #16 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,954.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #17 position for economics graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school located in the city of Boston. Early-career economics graduates from University Of Massachusetts Boston make a median of around $75,739 per year.
Clark University earned the #18 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Clark University typically earn about $85,062 annually.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #19 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts typically earn about $51,698 annually.
Westfield State University earned the #20 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a public institution. Economics graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of about $67,101 a year early in their careers.
Worcester State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,463.
Bridgewater State University landed the #22 spot for economics salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Bridgewater State University typically earn about $55,503 annually.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell typically earn about $41,910 annually.
This ranking is produced 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 · 23 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.