Economics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their economics programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 465 schools to find the best for economics students.
The school you choose for economics can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Economics Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Economics School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Economics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in economics. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 416 economics degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $103,993 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $6,617 in student loans.
Get the full economics details for Harvard University
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #2. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 234 economics degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $84,311 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans.
More information about a degree in economics from Vanderbilt University
A rank of #3 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for economics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 781 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Chicago earn around $92,075 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $13,197 in student loans.
See the full economics program report for University Of Chicago
Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 263 economics students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Duke University earn around $98,649 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,437 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for Duke University
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 397 economics degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $84,932 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,227 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Northwestern University
Johns Hopkins University earned the #6 position for economics this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 375 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $89,118 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,494 to complete this degree.
Get the full economics details for Johns Hopkins University
Princeton University placed #7 among the best economics schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 170 economics students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $103,041. Typical student debt for the program is $11,250.
Read more about the economics program at Princeton University
Dartmouth College earned the #8 position for economics this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 128 economics students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $94,675 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,400 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Dartmouth College
Washington University In St Louis ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 167 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $66,325. Students borrow a median of $14,110 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Washington University In St Louis
Yale University placed #10 among the best economics schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 279 economics degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $82,617 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for Yale University
Tufts University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 197 economics students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Tufts University earn around $75,125 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,850.
See the full economics program report for Tufts University
Brown University placed #12 among the best economics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 247 economics degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Brown University earn around $72,064 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Brown University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 199 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $89,097 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Georgetown University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 237 economics students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $81,892. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Georgetown University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 398 economics degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $65,344 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,843.
Get the full economics details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of California Berkeley ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 777 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $80,446 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for University Of California Berkeley
Cornell University landed the #17 spot for economics this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 258 economics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $84,967 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in economics from Cornell University
Middlebury College placed #18 among the best economics schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 128 economics students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $85,879 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Middlebury College
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #19 spot for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 97 economics degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $83,560 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #20 spot for economics this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 385 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $74,958. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Get the full economics details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 727 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $66,334 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans.
More information about a degree in economics from University Of California Santa Barbara
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. About 49 economics degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $113,129 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete this degree.
Read more about the economics program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Bates College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Bates College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 economics students who graduated with this degree at Bates College in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Bates College earn a median of $71,187 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
Get the full economics details for Bates College
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #24 position for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 1,028 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $62,091 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Wesleyan University earned the #25 position for economics this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 104 economics degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $39,764 in their early career. Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans.
Read more about the economics program at Wesleyan University
Rest of the Top 50 Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong economics education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 465 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
