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 13 schools to find where economics graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose economics graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Carleton College the top school for economics graduate earnings in Minnesota. Carleton College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Early-career economics graduates from Carleton College make a median of around $107,997 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #2. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school located in the city of Mankato. Early-career economics graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato make a median of around $75,003 per year.
Macalester College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $97,301.
Students chasing top earnings in economics will find them at University Of Minnesota Morris, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a public institution. Economics graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of about $71,340 a year early in their careers.
Gustavus Adolphus College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College typically earn about $90,545 annually.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for economics. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Economics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $83,564 a year early in their careers.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying economics schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from University Of St Thomas Minnesota make a median of around $78,183 per year.
St Olaf College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career economics graduates from St Olaf College make a median of around $81,483 per year.
Saint Johns University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,544.
St Catherine University earned the #10 position for economics graduate earnings this year. St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Economics graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of about $64,916 a year early in their careers.
Augsburg College came in at #11 for economics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from Augsburg College typically earn about $80,875 annually.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #12 position for economics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. After graduating, economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth typically earn about $68,688 annually.
Saint Cloud State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for economics. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Students who complete the economics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,524.
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 · 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.