by our College Data Analytics TeamEconomics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best economics schools.
What’s on this page:
These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in economics, based on student outcomes and program quality.
No school ranked higher than De Anza College this year for economics. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 70 economics students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at De Anza College
Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at Diablo Valley College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Diablo Valley College awarded about 87 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. More information about a degree in economics from Diablo Valley College
College Of San Mateo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. There were roughly 72 economics students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at College Of San Mateo
A rank of #4 makes West Valley College one of the top schools for economics. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. There were roughly 178 economics students who graduated with this degree at West Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $25,378 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,308. More information about a degree in economics from West Valley College
Orange Coast College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #5. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 70 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Get the full economics details for Orange Coast College
Ohlone Community College earned the #6 position for economics this year. Located in the city of Fremont, Ohlone Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 40 economics students who graduated with this degree at Ohlone Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Ohlone Community College earn around $22,545 in the first couple years of their career. Ohlone Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full economics program report for Ohlone Community College
College Of The Canyons came in at #7 for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. There were roughly 108 economics students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. Get the full economics details for College Of The Canyons
San Diego Miramar College landed the #8 spot for economics this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. There were roughly 25 economics students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $41,038 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for San Diego Miramar College
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #9 among the best economics schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. About 21 economics degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Santa Rosa Junior College
Foothill College earned the #10 position for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. There were roughly 44 economics students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $94,152 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Foothill College
East Los Angeles College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. About 56 economics degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from East Los Angeles College earn around $33,595 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,180. Get the full economics details for East Los Angeles College
Cerritos College placed #12 among the best economics schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. About 166 economics degrees were awarded at Cerritos College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $29,495 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306. Get the full economics details for Cerritos College
Mission College landed the #13 spot for economics this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. About 51 economics degrees were awarded at Mission College in the most recent year. Mission College graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Mission College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College awarded about 22 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,794. Get the full economics details for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
American River College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 74 economics degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from American River College earn around $76,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. See the full economics program report for American River College
Santa Barbara City College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. About 195 economics degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $68,184 in their early career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Santa Barbara City College
Santa Monica College landed the #17 spot for economics this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 254 economics degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. Get the full economics details for Santa Monica College
Sierra College landed the #18 spot for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Rocklin. Sierra College awarded about 158 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $29,214 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,733. More information about a degree in economics from Sierra College
Evergreen Valley College earned the #19 position for economics this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Evergreen Valley College awarded about 82 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $82,879 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,981. Get the full economics details for Evergreen Valley College
Grossmont College came in at #20 for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of El Cajon. Grossmont College awarded about 216 economics degrees in the most recent data year. See the full economics program report for Grossmont College
Cuesta College came in at #21 for economics this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. There were roughly 79 economics students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $64,492 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Cuesta College
Woodland Community College came in at #22 for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Woodland Community College awarded about 16 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the economics program at Woodland Community College
Cosumnes River College landed the #23 spot for economics this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Cosumnes River College awarded about 24 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in economics from Cosumnes River College
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #24 for economics this year. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. About 118 economics degrees were awarded at Mt San Jacinto Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn around $37,488 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,770. Read more about the economics program at Mt San Jacinto Community College District
Oxnard College landed the #25 spot for economics this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oxnard. About 72 economics degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year. See the full economics program report for Oxnard College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s economics ranking:
Explore the best economics schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 70 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.