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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their economics graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying economics schools.
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If you want to know which schools send economics graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in economics, no school beat Brigham Young University Provo this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Brigham Young University Provo make a median of around $98,908 per year.
Utah State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Utah State University is a public school located in the city of Logan. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $88,162.
University Of Utah produces some of the highest-paid graduates in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from University Of Utah make a median of around $80,323 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Colorado College, which ranked #4. Colorado College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Colorado College typically earn about $84,600 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at University Of Colorado Denver, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,274.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #6 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,838.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins make a median of around $69,679 per year.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #8 spot for economics salaries this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public school located in the city of Denver. Early-career economics graduates from Metropolitan State College Of Denver make a median of around $56,582 per year.
Western State College Of Colorado ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,403.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. Economics graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of about $59,346 a year early in their careers.
Montana State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a public institution. Economics graduates of Montana State University earn a median of about $58,698 a year early in their careers.
Boise State University earned the #12 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,137.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,257.
Southern Utah University earned the #14 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Southern Utah University make a median of around $43,266 per year.
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.