by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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.
Washington And Lee University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid economics graduates in Virginia. Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $145,820.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at University Of Richmond, which ranked #2. University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Economics graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of about $122,879 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #3. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Economics graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $95,941 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes James Madison University one of the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $96,390.
Strong graduate earnings at College Of William And Mary earned it the #5 place for economics. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Economics graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of about $86,782 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #6 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University typically earn about $86,760 annually.
George Mason University landed the #7 spot for economics salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Economics graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $91,323 a year early in their careers.
Randolph Macon College came in at #8 for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Randolph Macon College make a median of around $65,198 per year.
Hampden Sydney College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,723.
Virginia Military Institute came in at #10 for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Economics graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $80,064 a year early in their careers.
Christopher Newport University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Christopher Newport University typically earn about $71,646 annually.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #12 spot for economics salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington typically earn about $68,786 annually.
Radford University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Radford University is a public school located in the town of Radford. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,478.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 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.