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2027 Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

55 Colleges in the United States
5,417 Economics Degrees Awarded
$53,997 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for economics students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Economics in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Economics

1

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in economics. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 781 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data 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. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Chicago

2

Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 397 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $84,932 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,227 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from Northwestern University

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 687 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $68,416 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

4

Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 145 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $76,299 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,965 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Notre Dame

5

Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 821 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $64,223. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750. See the full economics program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best economics schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 427 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $58,921 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,228. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

7
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Kenyon College graduates 82% of students within six years. About 28 economics degrees were awarded at Kenyon College in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Kenyon College earn around $58,082 in the first couple years of their career. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,718 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from Kenyon College

8
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 238 economics students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $59,187 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from Purdue University Main Campus

9

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 94 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $59,142 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Indiana University Bloomington

10

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #10 spot for economics this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 economics degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $62,889 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. See the full economics program report for Wheaton College Illinois

11
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #11 position for economics this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 328 economics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,013. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Get the full economics details for Michigan State University

12

Miami University Oxford came in at #12 for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 74 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $57,379. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Miami University Oxford

13

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 51 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $68,850 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,264. Read more about the economics program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

14

University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #14 for economics this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Detroit Mercy awarded about 17 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,053. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Detroit Mercy

15
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University earned the #15 position for economics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Granville. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 81 economics degrees were awarded at Denison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $55,087 in their early career. Denison University graduates carry a median of $24,102 in student loans. See the full economics program report for Denison University

16

Loyola University Chicago came in at #16 for economics this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 14 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. See the full economics program report for Loyola University Chicago

17

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for economics this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 274 economics degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $60,658 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. More information about a degree in economics from Ohio State University Main Campus

18

Ball State University came in at #18 for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 16 economics students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $56,782 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,054. Get the full economics details for Ball State University

19

Case Western Reserve University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 36 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $53,148 early in their careers. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,949 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from Case Western Reserve University

20
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University came in at #20 for economics this year. Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Appleton. Lawrence University graduates 77% of students within six years. Lawrence University awarded about 11 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Lawrence University graduates carry a median of $15,699 in student loans. Get the full economics details for Lawrence University

21
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University came in at #21 for economics this year. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Depauw University awarded about 60 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Depauw University generally make around $63,395. Students borrow a median of $26,978 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Depauw University

22
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College landed the #22 spot for economics this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 economics students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $61,713 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Oberlin College

23

Western Michigan University earned the #23 position for economics this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Michigan University awarded about 20 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Western Michigan University earn around $48,966 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,981. See the full economics program report for Western Michigan University

24

Ohio University Main Campus placed #24 among the best economics schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 42 economics degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $66,237. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. See the full economics program report for Ohio University Main Campus

25

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #25 spot for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 86 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $37,767 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,002 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

Rest of the Top 50 Economics Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong economics education:

26
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
27
28
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
29
30
31
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
32
33
34
35
36
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN
37
38
39
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI
48
49
50
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI

View All Economics Rankings >

Notes and References

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 · 55 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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