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2024 Best Economics Schools

497 Colleges in the United States
49,055 Economics Degrees Awarded
$48,736 Avg Early-Career Salary
Economics is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #19 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 497 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Economics Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 49,055 degrees in economics to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Economics School

Best Economics Schools The economics program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Economics rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for economics schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Economics Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Economics
Bachelor's Degrees in Economics
Master's Degrees in Economics
Doctor's Degrees in Economics

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Economics Schools list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Economics in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the economics degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Economics

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
626 Economics Degrees Awarded
16.1% Growth in Graduates

It is hard to beat University of Chicago if you wish to pursue a degree in economics. UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were approximately 626 economics students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year. Economics degree recipients from University of Chicago get an earnings boost of about $33,828 over the average income of economics majors.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Chicago

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
402 Economics Degrees Awarded
2.5% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in economics needs to take a look at Northwestern University. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 402 economics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Those economics students who get their degree from Northwestern University earn $22,752 more than the typical economics grad.

More information about a degree in economics from Northwestern University

3
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
273 Economics Degrees Awarded
4.8% Growth in Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in economics needs to take a look at University of Pennsylvania. UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 273 economics students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Those economics students who get their degree from University of Pennsylvania receive $23,462 more than the typical economics student.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Pennsylvania

4
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
247 Economics Degrees Awarded
$87,166 Median Starting Salary

Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in economics. Yale is a large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of New Haven. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were about 247 economics students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics major at Yale University get $38,430 above the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from Yale University

5
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
267 Economics Degrees Awarded
$89,515 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were roughly 267 economics students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from Harvard University earn a boost of approximately $40,779 over the typical earnings of economics majors.

More information about a degree in economics from Harvard University

6
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
272 Economics Degrees Awarded
$72,741 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were approximately 272 economics students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics major at Vanderbilt University earn $24,005 more than the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in economics from Vanderbilt University

7
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
256 Economics Degrees Awarded
$94,699 Median Starting Salary

Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were about 256 economics students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from Duke University receive an earnings boost of around $45,963 over the typical earnings of economics majors.

More information about a degree in economics from Duke University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
458 Economics Degrees Awarded
$73,902 Median Starting Salary

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 458 economics students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics major at Columbia University in the City of New York earn $25,166 more than the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from Columbia University in the City of New York

9
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
132 Economics Degrees Awarded
22.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 1st out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 132 economics students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics major at Rice University make $39,253 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from Rice University

10
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
116 Economics Degrees Awarded
0.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were approximately 116.00000000000001 economics students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics major at Stanford University make $11,739 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from Stanford University

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
808 Economics Degrees Awarded
3.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 808 economics students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics degree program at University of California - Berkeley make $22,594 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from University of California - Berkeley

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
417 Economics Degrees Awarded
3.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 36 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were roughly 417 economics students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics degree program at Johns Hopkins University get $33,543 above the typical college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University

13
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
214 Economics Degrees Awarded
$64,028 Median Starting Salary

Brown is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Providence. This university ranks 1st out of 9 colleges for overall quality in the state of Rhode Island.

There were approximately 214 economics students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from Brown University get an earnings boost of approximately $15,292 over the average earnings of economics majors.

More information about a degree in economics from Brown University

14
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
140 Economics Degrees Awarded
$81,961 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Princeton, Princeton is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #10 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Princeton is a great university overall.

There were roughly 140 economics students who graduated with this degree at Princeton in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from Princeton University receive $33,225 more than the average economics graduate.

More information about a degree in economics from Princeton University

15
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
265 Economics Degrees Awarded
$68,593 Median Starting Salary

Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were approximately 265 economics students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from Georgetown University earn $19,856 more than the typical economics graduate.

More information about a degree in economics from Georgetown University

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
237 Economics Degrees Awarded
8.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 236.99999999999997 economics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from Cornell University earn $20,680 more than the average economics graduate.

More information about a degree in economics from Cornell University

17
Dartmouth crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
174 Economics Degrees Awarded
4.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 1st out of 17 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Hampshire.

There were roughly 174 economics students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from Dartmouth College make $36,333 more than the standard economics student.

More information about a degree in economics from Dartmouth College

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
260 Economics Degrees Awarded
$69,070 Median Starting Salary

Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Notre Dame. This university ranks 1st out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were roughly 260 economics students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics major at University of Notre Dame earn $20,334 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Notre Dame

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
116 Economics Degrees Awarded
$95,566 Median Starting Salary

Claremont McKenna is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Claremont. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Claremont McKenna is a great college overall.

There were about 116 economics students who graduated with this degree at Claremont McKenna in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from Claremont McKenna College earn a boost of about $46,830 above the typical earnings of economics graduates.

More information about a degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
884 Economics Degrees Awarded
$52,741 Median Starting Salary

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 5th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 884 economics students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics degree program at University of California - Los Angeles make $4,005 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in economics from University of California - Los Angeles

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
528 Economics Degrees Awarded
$62,202 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 528 economics students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Economics degree recipients from University of Virginia - Main Campus get an earnings boost of approximately $13,466 above the average income of economics graduates.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Virginia - Main Campus

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
357 Economics Degrees Awarded
25.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 357 economics students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics major at University of Southern California get $6,101 above the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Southern California

23
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
167 Economics Degrees Awarded
10.8% Growth in Graduates

Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 167 economics students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Those economics students who get their degree from Emory University receive $6,322 more than the typical economics student.

More information about a degree in economics from Emory University

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
110 Economics Degrees Awarded
$61,591 Median Starting Salary

WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. This university ranks 1st out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.

There were roughly 110 economics students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from Washington University in St Louis make $12,855 more than the typical economics graduate.

More information about a degree in economics from Washington University in St Louis

25
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
548 Economics Degrees Awarded
$60,699 Median Starting Salary

NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. This university ranks 4th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 548 economics students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from New York University make $11,963 more than the average economics student.

More information about a degree in economics from New York University

Rest of the Top Best Economics Schools

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31
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
32

33
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

34
35
36
37
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
38
39
Swarthmore crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
40
41

42
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

43
Barnard crest
Barnard College
New York, NY
44
45
46
Amherst crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
47
48
49
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
50
Middlebury crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Economics Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 497 different United States economics schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
52 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
53 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
54 Lafayette College Easton, PA
55 Pomona College Claremont, CA
56 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
57 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
58 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX
59 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
60 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
61 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
62 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
63 Wellesley College Wellesley, MA
64 Northeastern University Boston, MA
65 Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA
66 Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NY
67 University of Delaware Newark, DE
68 University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA
69 Trinity College Hartford, CT
70 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
71 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
72 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
73 Grinnell College Grinnell, IA
74 Carleton College Northfield, MN

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Economics students that almost earned our Best Economics Schools award.

Rank College Location
75 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
76 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
77 Denison University Granville, OH
78 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
79 Colby College Waterville, ME
80 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA
81 Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
82 Brandeis University Waltham, MA
83 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
84 Fordham University Bronx, NY
85 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
86 St Olaf College Northfield, MN
87 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
88 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
89 American University Washington, DC
90 Hamilton College Clinton, NY
91 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
92 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
93 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
94 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
95 Villanova University Villanova, PA
96 Utah State University Logan, UT
97 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
98 DePauw University Greencastle, IN
99 Occidental College Los Angeles, CA

Economics by Region

View the Best Economics Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 13 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Economics has other similar majors worth exploring.

Economics Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Economics 28,837
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics 18,364
Applied Economics 618
Development Economics & International Development 593
International Economics 328
Other Economics 315

View All Economics Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 49,282
Sociology 38,475
General Social Sciences 18,997
International Relations & National Security 14,306
Anthropology 11,415
Geography & Cartography 8,526
Other Social Sciences 2,414
Urban Studies 1,507
Sociology & Anthropology 541
Archeology 339

View All Economics Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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