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. The highest-paying schools turn a economics degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find where economics graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send economics graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Rice University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid economics graduates in Texas. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Rice University make a median of around $104,828 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #2. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $96,927.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $97,401 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Trinity University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $88,904.
A rank of #5 makes Texas Christian University one of the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from Texas Christian University make a median of around $83,781 per year.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,293.
University Of Houston earned the #7 position for economics graduate earnings this year. University Of Houston is a public school located in the city of Houston. Early-career economics graduates from University Of Houston make a median of around $74,425 per year.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington typically earn about $80,774 annually.
University Of Dallas placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for economics. University Of Dallas is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irving. Economics graduates of University Of Dallas earn a median of about $59,537 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #10 for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of about $71,197 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Texas placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,195.
Texas Tech University earned the #12 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Texas Tech University typically earn about $69,569 annually.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,025.
Austin College placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Austin College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sherman. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Austin College typically earn about $67,932 annually.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #15 for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career economics graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $43,064 per year.
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 · 15 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.